Origins and Facts About Sweetest Day
By usmcsgtwife
@usmcsgtwife (4997)
United States
October 19, 2007 12:09am CST
Observed the 3rd Saturday in the month of October, Sweetest Day observance originated in Cleveland in 1922. Herbert Birch Kingston, a philanthropist and candy company employee wanted to bring happiness into the lives of orphans, shut-ins and others who were forgotten. With the help of friends, he began to distribute candy and small gifts to the underprivileged.
On the first Sweetest Day, movie star Ann Pennington presented 2,200 Cleveland newspaper boys with boxes of candy to express gratitude for their service to the public.
Another popular movie star, Theda Bara, distributed 10,000 boxes of candy to people in Cleveland hospitals and also gave candy to all who came to watch her film in a local theater.
Primarily a regional observance celebrated in the Great Lakes region and the Northeast, Sweetest Day is gradually spreading to other areas of the country. People tend to take the Sweetest Day tradition with them when they move. Ohio is the top state for Sweetest Day sales, followed by Michigan and Illinois. Texas, California and Florida are among the top 10 states in sales.
Over the years, Sweetest Day has evolved into a time to express romantic love and also to show appreciation to friends.
Do you celebrate Sweetest Day where you live??
3 responses
@gradyslady (4054)
• United States
19 Oct 07
I honestly think it's a Hallmark Holiday. I really think it's a waste of time. So does my boyfriend, so we don't celebrate it.
1 person likes this
@usmcsgtwife (4997)
• United States
19 Oct 07
yeah my husband is the same way I will buy my husband a card but thats about it.. I think American Greetings thats based in Brooklyn Ohio actually make the cards for it and came up with it
@gradyslady (4054)
• United States
19 Oct 07
Them too! I just say Hallmark since it's easier to type out :).
1 person likes this
@theprogamer (10532)
• United States
20 Oct 07
I don't really celebrate it. Its pretty lopsided in my opinion and personal experience. Whoever does seriously celebrate it, fine, that's you. Have fun.
1 person likes this
@usmcsgtwife (4997)
• United States
20 Oct 07
my husband and I will say Happy Sweetest day to one another but we don;t buy each other anything
@ssh123 (31071)
• India
19 Oct 07
As and when the sweetest day is experienced it is celebrated on a scale is deserves. There are so many voluntary organization who are engaged in distribution of fruits and donation of blood for needy on our independence day and they consider it as sweetest day. I consider the result announcing day of my son's school as the sweetest day for him as well as for all of us.
1 person likes this
