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20 August: what is celebrated today
The calendar holds curious surprises, and 20 August is proof of this. On this date, two apparently opposing worlds coexist: science and popular gastronomy. On one side, the fight against a tiny insect that has changed the history of public health; on the other, the celebration of one of the most loved and universal foods.
The mosquito's legacy
World Mosquito Day commemorates the British doctor Sir Ronald Ross, who on 20 August 1897 discovered the connection between the females of this insect and the transmission of malaria. His finding not only earned him a Nobel Prize, but also paved the way for understanding how to combat diseases such as dengue, yellow fever and zika.
In the very heart of the 21st century, when we still have no vaccines for many of these infections, the mosquito continues to remind us that prevention is the first line of defence. This day is not a mere scientific note on the calendar: it is an urgent call for global awareness.
The triumph of chips
But 20 August also tastes of a golden crunch. It is World Chips Day, those strips of tuber that crossed borders and won over palates from the 17th century in Belgium, where they were served as a substitute for fish in freezing winters.
From there they spread across the world, even reaching the White House in 1801, when Thomas Jefferson offered them at an official dinner. Today they are so universal that they have their own museum in Bruges and extravagant records such as a serving of almost 455 kilos prepared in Idaho in 2014.
Chips are more than a side dish: they are a symbol of togetherness, of a shared table, of a simple yet irresistible flavour.
Thus, 20 August becomes a singular day where the fragility of life — threatened by a tiny insect — and the everyday pleasure of food — embodied in a simple dish that brings cultures together — intersect. Between mosquitoes and chips, this day reminds us that existence is built with seriousness and enjoyment, with prevention and celebration.
National Day of Victims of Air Accidents and their Families
Every 20 August, Spain commemorates the National Day of Victims of Air Accidents and their Families, a date created in 2025 to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in air tragedies and recognise their loved ones. The day coincides with the anniversary of the 2008 Spanair JK5022 flight accident, and seeks to keep the memory of the victims alive, strengthen the commitment to air safety and promote comprehensive care for affected families.