U.S. Rep. Tim Walz honored Spam on the House floor on Wednesday, the L.A. Times reports. The Minnesota Congressman said, "Spam is an important part of our American history." Austin-based Hormel is celebrating the brand's 75th anniversary this summer.

Chairman, President and CEO of Hormel Foods Corporation, Jeffrey Ettinger, was among company leaders to ring The Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday to mark the 75th anniversary of the Spam brand. The Temptations will headline a birthday bash in Austin on July 28th.

Minnesota's famous spiced canned meat celebrated a milestone Friday -- it's been 75 years since the the "SPAM" trademark was registered by the Hormel Foods Corp. “The fact that recipes from all around the world have been passed down from generation to generation is a testament to the relevancy of the Spam brand,” Nicole Behne, Spam brand product manager, says.

Exactly 75 years ago Thursday, the first can of Spam luncheon meat rolled off the assembly line at the Geo. A. Hormel & Company plant in Austin. The canned ham became an instant success for Hormel. That brand — which Monty Python parodied in a famous 1970 sketch comedy, spawned its own museum in 2001, and became synonymous with unsolicited emails — propelled the company to international success and remains a big part of the company's image.

Mayor Dave Larson is proclaiming the next 12 months "The Year of the Legend" in honor of the famed Minnesota statue. The Pioneer reports the Beltrami County History Center also has an exhibit featuring more than 400 pieces of Paul Bunyan memorabilia.

Strong sales of Spam and Jennie-O products helped the Austin-based meat producer meet Wall Street expectations. Hormel's third quarter earnings rose to $111.2 million, or 41 cents per share, in the third quarter ended on July 29 compared to $98.5 million, or 36 cents per share, a year earlier.