National Hot Dog Day was started by the North American Meat
Institute in 1991 and began being promoted and organized by the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council after they were
created by the institute in 1994. The day coincides with the
Annual Hot Dog Lunch at Capitol Hill in Washington D.C.,
which is also sponsored by the North American Meat Institute.

The lunch, which has taken place for decades, is a large hot dog picnic
attended by lawmakers, administration officials, and Capitol Hill
staff.