If you have never heard of Sweetest Day, you’re not alone.
This Midwestern Holiday has been a tradition primarily in the
Great Lakes region of Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois, and
Indiana for over 60 years, but is not observed in many other
states. Observance of the day is increasing in popularity
however, as people move from these states to other parts of the
country, and take the tradition with them. Sweetest Day is
always celebrated on the third Saturday in October.
Sweetest Day observance originated in Cleveland in 1922, when a
candy company employee and philanthropist by the name of Herbert
Birch Kingston, decided he would distribute, with the help of
some friends, candy and small gifts to underprivileged and less
fortunate people in his community. His intent was to show these
people that they were not forgotten. Soon other good Samaritans
in the city were getting involved, and Sweetest Day was born.
Local Celebrities such as Ann Pennington, a movie star in the
early 1930s, gave 2200 boxes of candy to Cleveland newspaper boys
in appreciation of their Public service, and Theda Bara, another
movie star of that era, distributed 10,000 boxes of candy to
patients at Cleveland hospitals. The idea caught on, and over
time became a day when small gifts, candy, greeting cards, and
flowers were given to family, friends, and lovers.
Sweetest Day has grown in popularity over the past few years, and
celebration of the day is rapidly spreading throughout the
country. The selection of Sweetest Day cards from Hallmarks has
grown from 48 cards available in 2000, to 142 cards in 2005. The
Holiday is most popular in Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois, followed
by Texas, California, Florida, and many of the Northeastern
States, You wont find Sweetest Day on many calendars today, but
with the rapidly growing popularity of the Holiday, most experts
agree it wont be long before it is celebrated throughout the
country.
Sweetest Day has evolved over the years into a day when you can
express your love to that special person in your life, or show
appreciation to dear friends. Since for many people, showing
appreciation has taken the form of gift giving, Sweetest Day is
the perfect time to give flowers, gifts, candy or greeting cards.
If Sweetest Day is not celebrated in your City or State, now is
the perfect time to start. You have the opportunity to show a
friend or lover, how much you care, by being the first to share
with them, this lovely tradition.
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