Make today the apple of your eye, as we celebrate Johnny Appleseed Day.

Johnny Appleseed Day honors one of America’s great legends on his birthday. Johnny Appleseed, A.K.A. John Chapman was one of the many American settlers who were enthralled with the movement west across the U.S. (in those days West meant Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois). As Johnny Appleseed traveled west, he planted apple trees along his path, and sold trees to settlers.

Johnny Appleseed was a nurseryman who started out planting trees in western New York and Pennsylvania. He was said to be a deeply religious person, and was known to preach during his travels. And according to legend, Johnny Appleseed led a simple life and wanted little. He rarely accepted money and often donated any money he received.

You can celebrate today by planting an apple tree of your own. You can also eat an apple and anything else apple related.

Image from kids.niehs.nih.gov.