Today we are looking up and digging in. September 3 celebrates the towers that changed city skylines forever and a cheesy, comforting dish that has been warming plates for centuries. It is a day for architecture lovers and hungry foodies alike.
National Skyscraper Day honors the tall buildings that reshaped how cities grow, and it traces back to the birthday of Louis Sullivan, the Chicago architect known as the father of skyscrapers. Sullivan pioneered the idea that a building's design should reflect its purpose, and his influence helped launch the modern high rise era, including mentoring a young Frank Lloyd Wright. From the Home Insurance Building in Chicago to the towers that define skylines around the world today, this day is a nod to engineering, ambition, and the desire to build upward.
😄 Fun fact: The world's tallest buildings keep getting taller, but the very first skyscrapers were only about ten stories high and people still thought that was wild.
Ways to celebrate:
- Visit or photograph the tallest building near you
- Look up a few facts about your city's skyline history
- Watch a documentary about architecture or engineering marvels
National Welsh Rarebit Day celebrates a dish that sounds fancier than it is: melted cheddar cheese blended with ale, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce, poured generously over toasted bread. Despite the name, food historians still debate whether it truly originated in Wales, with some records placing early versions of the recipe in English cookbooks as far back as the 1700s. Whatever its true birthplace, it remains a beloved comfort food known for turning a few pantry staples into something rich and satisfying.
😄 Fun fact: Welsh rarebit is sometimes jokingly called Welsh rabbit even though there has never been a hint of rabbit anywhere near the recipe.
Ways to celebrate:
- Make a batch of Welsh rarebit for dinner tonight with the recipe below
- Pair it with a crisp apple or a simple side salad
- Try a twist on the classic with a different type of cheese or bread
From towering skylines to a cozy plate of cheese on toast, September 3 has a little something for everyone to enjoy.
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September 3 FAQ
What is National Skyscraper Day?
National Skyscraper Day celebrates tall buildings and the architects and engineers behind them. It falls on the birthday of Louis Sullivan, the architect often called the father of skyscrapers.
Why is Louis Sullivan connected to this day?
Sullivan helped pioneer modern skyscraper design in Chicago and championed the idea that a building's form should follow its function, an idea that shaped architecture for generations afterward.
What is Welsh rarebit made of?
Welsh rarebit is a savory sauce of melted cheddar cheese, ale, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce, poured over toasted bread and often broiled until bubbly.
Did Welsh rarebit actually come from Wales?
That is still debated. Early references to the dish appear in English cookbooks, and its exact origin remains disputed among food historians even though the name has stuck for centuries.
How can I celebrate both observances in one day?
Take a walk to admire tall buildings in your area, then come home and whip up a batch of Welsh rarebit for a cozy dinner that pairs architecture appreciation with comfort food.
What if today is my birthday?
If you're celebrating a birthday on September 3, check out our Birthday Gift Finder for your zodiac sign, birthstone, birth flower, and gift ideas specific to your day.
Some of the links in this post lead to books, tools, or products that can help you learn more about today's celebrations or put together your own version of them at home.
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September 3 Other Celebrations
National Baby Back Ribs Day honors the tender, curved cut of pork ribs beloved at cookouts and barbecue joints across the country. Slow cooked and slathered in sauce, baby back ribs have become a summer grilling staple that pairs perfectly with a plate full of napkins.
US Bowling League Day celebrates the community spirit of local bowling leagues, where friends and coworkers gather weekly to roll a few frames, chase a personal best, and enjoy some friendly competition. Bowling leagues have been a fixture of American social life since the early twentieth century.
International Cabernet Sauvignon Day raises a glass to one of the world's most popular red wine grapes, prized for its bold flavor and ability to age gracefully. Originally from the Bordeaux region of France, Cabernet Sauvignon is now grown and celebrated by wine lovers around the globe.
🎂 If Your Birthday Is Today
Born on September 3? You share the day with a Virgo sun sign, and the numerology of the number 3 points to creativity, expression, and a natural gift for lifting the mood of a room. Paired with Virgo's precision and eye for detail, you get someone thoughtful with a playful streak, equally comfortable getting things right and having fun doing it.
Your birthstone is sapphire, long associated with wisdom, loyalty, and clear communication. Your birth flowers are the aster, a star shaped bloom symbolizing wisdom and purity, and the morning glory, which stands for affection and a fresh start each morning it opens.
Looking for a gift that fits all three symbols at once? Sapphire blue jewelry or decor nods to the birthstone, the zodiac sign, and the deep blue purple tones asters and morning glories share in the garden.
If you're drawn to crystal healing traditions, Virgo is also associated with a different set of stones, citrine, lapis lazuli, tiger's eye, garnet, green aventurine, and carnelian, each believed to support different aspects of the sign's energy.
If today happens to be your birthday, we made something for you. Our new Virgo birthday design, made for the meticulous, dependable people born under this sign, is now available as a card, mug, sticker, magnet and more. See the Virgo collection →
Try the Recipe: Classic Welsh Rarebit
Want to make your own bubbly, golden Welsh rarebit at home? Here's a simple version you can put together in about 20 minutes.
Ingredients:
- 300g sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 120ml ale or stout
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp all purpose flour
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper or paprika
- 4 thick slices of crusty bread
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions:
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Slowly whisk in the ale, then add the mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and cayenne. Cook, stirring, until slightly thickened.
- Reduce heat to low and add the cheese a handful at a time, stirring until melted and smooth. Remove from heat.
- Let the mixture cool briefly, then whisk in the egg yolk until glossy.
- Lightly toast the bread until just golden.
- Spread the cheese mixture generously over the toast and place under a hot broiler until bubbling and browned in spots.
- Garnish with parsley and serve immediately while hot and bubbly.
Note: Traditional Welsh rarebit is not made with rabbit, the name is playful, not literal. For a non-alcoholic version, swap the ale for whole milk or a splash of apple cider vinegar mixed with water.
There is no wrong answer here, only degrees of cheesy joy. See how the BBC Good Food version stacks up.