If you lived on the east coast it would be just another day but for those of us in Michigan, Sweetest Day is a holiday. Technically.

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This year Saturday, October 15th is Sweetest Day. Now, some will complain it's just another Hallmark holiday, but actually, Hallmark had nothing to do with it. It's candy makers that can stake claim to creating the obscure holiday all in the name of trying to make a difference.

Here are 5 facts you may not know about Sweetest Day:

Sweetest Day is Always in October

Consider it a prelude to Halloween. Sweetest Day is never on the same day each year, but it is always the 3rd Saturday of October.

Candy Makers Created Sweetest Day to Help Others

Although the first Sweetest Day originated in October of 1916 as “Candy Day,” a promotion launched by the National Confectioner’s Association, the first sweetest day was held on October 21, 1921.  A group of candy makers known as The Sweetest Day in the Year Committee had a sweet plan. The goal of the committee was to hand out over 20,000 boxes of candy to "newsboys, orphans, old folks, and the poor" in Cleveland. The goal was to spread joy to those less fortunate.

It’s Mostly a Midwestern Holiday

Outside of the midwest, Sweetest Day is hardly known. Its popularity is mostly in Ohio, where it began, and through the surrounding Great Lakes region. Michigan, Illinois, Indiana,  Wisconsin, and some parts of Pennsylvania and New York celebrate, but it is catching on in other areas as well.

Sweetest Day Isn't Just for Lovers

While we tend to look at Valentine's Day as the holiday for lovers, Sweetest Day is about loving everyone. With the origin being about giving to those less fortunate, the holiday has become one of showing you care for everyone in your life from kids, to parents, and friends.

It's Not Just Candy Anymore

It may have started as a holiday revolving around candy, but everyone is in on the action now. Florists, jewelers, and more take advantage of the hype with sales and specials focused on the fall holiday. Oh, and Hallmark is all about selling the cards, even though it's not their holiday.

Every Movie Theater Candy, Ranked From Worst to Best

LOOK: Food history from the year you were born

From product innovations to major recalls, Stacker researched what happened in food history every year since 1921, according to news and government sources.
 

 

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