Celiac Awareness Day was developed by the United States Senate to raise awareness of this condition, stating in their resolution that we all “should become more informed and aware of celiac disease.” Celiac disease was first discovered by Samuel Gee in 1888, a pediatrician who recognized that the symptoms he was observing were all tied to the diet of his patients. In honor of this man and the lives that he has helped to make better through awareness and education about this disease, his birthday was selected as the yearly celebration for Celiac Awareness Day.