In the United States, the first recorded eating competition is said to date back to 1916, when new immigrants showed off their new American patriotism by eating as many hot dogs as fast as possible. Today, we take a deeper look into that well-established Fourth of July tradition and try to figure out how (and why) competitors push their stomachs to the limits.

This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.

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