It's National Pancake Day! Get A Free Short Stack At IHOP

DETROIT (WWJ) - Tuesday, March 3 is the 10th anniversary of National Pancake Day and to celebrate, IHOP restaurants across metro Detroit are giving away FREE short stacks of buttermilk pancakes.

In return for the free pancakes, guests are encouraged to make a voluntary donation to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. The goal is to raise $3.5 million.

Last year, IHOP served up 4.2 million free pancakes -- enough to create a stack nearly 12 miles high -- and flapjack lovers donated nearly $3 million to children's charities.

To find a local IHOP restaurant or to donate online, click here. The National Pancake Day celebration runs from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

So, where did Pancake Day -- much like Shrove Tuesday -- get its origins? It's a tradition that dates back several centuries to when the English prepared for fasting during Lent. Strict rules prohibited the eating of all dairy products during Lent, so pancakes were made to use up the supply of eggs, milk, butter and other dairy products.