Sweetest Day - Wikipedia

Home » What Is Sweetest Day 2021 » Sweetest Day - Wikipedia

Maybe your like

Holiday
Sweetest Day
Observed byGreat Lakes region
TypeLocal
CelebrationsGiving presents such as greeting cards and candy to loved ones.
DateThird Saturday in October
2025 dateOctober 18  (2025-10-18)
2026 dateOctober 17  (2026-10-17)
2027 dateOctober 16  (2027-10-16)
2028 dateOctober 21  (2028-10-21)
FrequencyAnnual

Sweetest Day is a holiday that is celebrated in the Midwestern United States,[1] in parts of the Northeastern United States, in Arizona, and in Florida on the third Saturday in October.[2] It is a day to share romantic deeds or expressions, and acts of charity and kindness.[3] Sweetest Day has also been referred to as a "Hallmark holiday" or a "concocted promotion" created by the candy industry solely to increase sales of sweets.[4]

Origin

[edit]
The 12 Cleveland committeemen who planned Cleveland's Sweetest Day, as published in The Cleveland Plain Dealer on October 8, 1922.
Full page Sweetest Day editorial published in The Cleveland Plain Dealer on October 8, 1922.

The first Sweetest Day was observed on October 10, 1921, in Cleveland. The Cleveland Plain Dealer's edition of October 8, 1922, which chronicles the first Sweetest Day in Cleveland, states that the first Sweetest Day was planned by a committee of 12 confectioners chaired by candymaker C. C. Hartzell. The Sweetest Day in the Year Committee distributed over 20,000 boxes of candy to "newsboys, orphans, old folks, and the poor" in Cleveland.[5] The Sweetest Day in the Year Committee was assisted in the distribution of candy by some of the biggest movie stars of the day including Theda Bara and Ann Pennington.[4]

There were also several attempts to start a "Sweetest Day" in New York City, including a declaration of a Candy Day throughout the United States by candy manufacturers on October 8, 1922.[6] In 1927, The New York Times reported that "the powers that determine the nomenclature of the weeks of October" decreed that the week beginning on October 10, 1927, would be known as Sweetest Week.[7] On September 25, 1937, The New York Times reported under Advertising News and Notes that The National Confectioners Association had launched a "movement throughout the candy industry" to rank Sweetest Day with the nationally accepted Mother's Day, Father's Day, and St. Valentine's Day.[8]

In 1940, another Sweetest Day was proclaimed on October 19. The promotional event was marked by the distribution of more than 10,000 boxes of candy by the Sweetest Day Committee.[9] The candy was distributed among 26 local charities. 225 children were given candy in the chapel at the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children on October 17, 1940.[9] 600 boxes of candy were also delivered to the presidents of the Jewish, Protestant and Catholic Big Sister groups of New York.

Regional importance

[edit]

Retail Confectioners International describes the observance as "much more important for candymakers in some regions than in others (Detroit and Cleveland being the biggest Sweetest Day cities)".[10][11] The popularity in Detroit was greatly perpetuated by the Sanders Candy Company. Frederick Sanders was a large promoter of the holiday.[12] In 2006, Hallmark marketed 151 greeting card designs for Sweetest Day. American Greetings marketed 178.[3]

Sweetest Day observance is still most prevalent in the Great Lakes region, where the holiday originated, including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin.[13] According to Hallmark, "the once-regional celebration of Sweetest Day has spread throughout the country."[13] In addition to those states where it is "most prevalent", Sweetest Day is celebrated by communities in Arizona, California, Florida, Kentucky, Missouri, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and West Virginia, bringing the total to 17 states.[14][2][15]

Criticism

[edit]

Sweetest Day was thought to be invented for commercial interests which stood to profit from such a holiday, critics refer to it as a "Hallmark holiday"[16] (although it was not invented by the Hallmark Cards company). It's actual history is often overlooked and many believe it to be another commercial holiday.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Sweetest Day, retrieved January 11, 2022
  2. ^ a b Cridlin, Jay (October 21, 2006). "A sweet day for Hallmark". St Petersburg Times. Retrieved February 21, 2007.
  3. ^ a b Orsborn, Kimberly (October 20, 2006). "Sweetest Day born in Ohio". Mount Vernon News. Archived from the original on March 26, 2007. Retrieved February 21, 2007.
  4. ^ a b The Cleveland Plain Dealer, October 15, 2005.
  5. ^ The Lindell Plain Dealer, October 8, 1921, and October 8, 1922.
  6. ^ The New York Times, October 8, 1922.
  7. ^ The New York Times, October 10, 1927.
  8. ^ The New York Times, September 25, 1937.
  9. ^ a b The New York Times, October 18, 1940.
  10. ^ Sweetest Day Archived October 6, 2006, at the Wayback Machine, retailerconfectioners.org. Retrieved on February 21, 2007.
  11. ^ Cincinnati.com: Why do we celebrate Sweetest Day? What to know about the holiday with Ohio roots, retrieved July 16, 2022
  12. ^ Grzegorek, Vince (October 16, 2015). "What's the deal with Sweetest Day bullshit, anyway?". Detroit Metro Times. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  13. ^ a b Sweetest Day, retrieved July 16, 2022
  14. ^ TimeAndDate.com: Sweetest Day, retrieved July 16, 2022
  15. ^ Mimi Vanderhaven: The Origins of Sweetest Day, retrieved July 16, 2022
  16. ^ Arnett, Lisa. "Sweet wine o' mine". The Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on March 10, 2007. Retrieved February 21, 2007.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Maud Lavin, ed. (October 4, 2004). The Business of Holidays. Monacelli. ISBN 1-58093-150-2.
  • Leigh Eric Schmidt (1995). Consumer Rites: The Buying and Selling of American Holidays. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0691029806.
  • Bennett Madison and James Dignan (December 28, 2002). I Hate Valentine's Day. Simon Spotlight Entertainment. ISBN 0-689-87372-7.
[edit] Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sweetest Day.
  • Survey of 1,000 Americans on Sweetest Day Confectionaries
  • Sweetest Day
  • v
  • t
  • e
Holidays, observances, and celebrations in the United States
January
  • New Year's Day (federal)
  • Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. (federal)
  • Birthday of Eugenio María de Hostos (PR)
  • Confederate Heroes Day (TX)
  • Eve of Three Kings' Day (PR, religious)
  • Feast of Epiphany / Feast of Theophany (religious)
  • Fred Korematsu Day (AZ, CA, FL, HI, VA)
  • Idaho Human Rights Day (ID)
  • Inauguration Day (federal quadrennial)
  • Kansas Day (KS)
  • Makar Sankranti / Pongal (religious)
  • Robert E. Lee Day (FL)
  • Stephen Foster Memorial Day (36)
  • National Religious Freedom Day
  • The Eighth (LA)
  • Three Kings' Day (PR, VI, religious)
  • World Religion Day (religious)
January–February
  • Chinese New Year / Lunar New Year (NY, cultural, religious)
  • Vasant Panchami (religious)
    • FebruaryAmerican Heart MonthBlack History Month
    • Washington's Birthday (federal)
    • Valentine's Day
    • Birthday of Luis Muñoz Marín (PR)
    • Candlemas (religious)
    • Charles Darwin Day / Darwin Day (CA, DE)
    • Day of Remembrance (CA, OR, WA, cultural)
    • Georgia Day (GA)
    • Groundhog Day
    • Imbolc (religious)
    • Lincoln's Birthday (CA, CT, IL, IN, MO, NY, WV)
    • National Girls and Women in Sports Day
    • National Freedom Day (36)
    • Nirvana Day (religious)
    • Presentation of Our Lord to the Temple (religious)
    • Promised Reformer Day (religious)
    • Ronald Reagan Day (CA)
    • Rosa Parks Day (CA, MO)
    • Saviours' Day (religious)
    • Susan B. Anthony Day (CA, FL, NY, WI, WV, proposed federal)
    • Tu B’shvat (religious)
    February–March
  • Mardi Gras
    • Ash Wednesday (PR, religious)
    • Carnival (PR, VI, religious)
    • Clean Monday (religious)
    • Courir de Mardi Gras (religious)
    • Intercalary Days (religious)
    • Mahashivaratri (religious)
    • Purim (religious)
    • Shrove Tuesday (religious)
    • Super Tuesday
    MarchIrish-American Heritage MonthColon Cancer Awareness MonthWomen's History Month
  • Saint Patrick's Day (ethnic)
  • Spring break (week)
    • Annunciation of the Virgin Mary / Annunciation of the Theotokos (religious)
    • Casimir Pulaski Day (IL)
    • Cesar Chavez Day (CA, CO, TX, proposed federal)
    • Emancipation Day in Puerto Rico (PR, cultural)
    • Evacuation Day (Suffolk County, MA)
    • Harriet Tubman Day (NY)
    • Hola Mohalla (religious)
    • Holi (NY, religious)
    • Lailat al-Mi'raj (religious)
    • Liberation and Freedom Day (Charlottesville, VA, cultural)
    • Mardi Gras (AL (in two counties), LA)
    • Maryland Day (MD)
    • Medal of Honor Day
    • National Poison Prevention Week (week)
    • Nowruz (cultural, religious)
    • Ostara (religious)
    • Pi Day
    • Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole Day (HI)
    • Promised Messiah Day (religious)
    • Saint Joseph's Day (religious)
    • Seward's Day (AK)
    • Texas Independence Day (TX)
    • Town Meeting Day (VT)
    • Transfer Day (VI)
    • U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day (36)
    • Trans Day of Visibility (cultural)
    March–April
  • Easter (religious)
    • Good Friday (CT, NC, PR, NJ, VI, religious)
    • Hanuman Jayanti (religious)
    • Holy Thursday (PR, VI, religious)
    • Holy Week (PR, religious, week)
    • Lazarus Saturday (religious)
    • Mahavir Janma Kalyanak (religious)
    • Mesha Sankranti / Hindu New Year (religious)
    • Palm Sunday (PR, religious)
    • Passover (religious, week)
    • Easter Monday / Bright Monday (VI, religious)
    • Ramnavami (religious)
    • Chandramana Uugadi / Souramana Uugadi (religious)
    AprilArab American Heritage MonthConfederate History Month
  • 420
  • April Fools' Day
  • Arbor Day
  • Birthday of José de Diego (PR)
  • Confederate Memorial Day (AL, MS)
  • Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust (week)
  • DNA Day
  • Earth Day
  • Emancipation Day (cultural)
  • Thomas Jefferson's Birthday (AL)
  • Lag B’Omer (religious)
  • Last Friday of Great Lent (religious)
  • National First Ladies Day
  • Pascua Florida (FL)
  • Patriots' Day (MA, ME)
  • Ridván (religious)
  • San Jacinto Day (TX)
  • Siblings Day
  • Walpurgis Night (religious)
  • Yom Ha'atzmaut (cultural, religious)
    • MayAsian American andPacific Islander Heritage MonthJewish American Heritage MonthMilitary Appreciation Month
    • Memorial Day (federal)
    • Mother's Day (36)
    • Cinco de Mayo
    • Ascension of Baháʼu'lláh (religious)
    • Ascension of Our Lord (religious)
    • Caliphate Day (religious)
    • Declaration of the Bab (religious)
    • Harvey Milk Day (CA)
    • International Workers' Day / May Day (CA, unofficial, proposed state)
    • Law Day (36)
    • Loyalty Day (36)
    • Malcolm X Day (CA, IL, proposed federal)
    • Military Spouse Day
    • National Day of Prayer (36)
    • National Day of Reason
    • National Defense Transportation Day (36)
    • National Maritime Day (36)
    • Peace Officers Memorial Day (36)
    • Pentecost (religious)
    • Shavuot (religious)
    • Truman Day (MO)
    • Vesak / Buddha's Birthday (religious)
    JunePride Month
  • Juneteenth (federal, cultural)
  • Father's Day (36)
    • Bunker Hill Day (Suffolk County, MA)
    • Carolina Day (SC)
    • Don Young Day (AK)
    • Fast of the Holy Apostles (religious)
    • Flag Day (36, proposed federal)
    • Helen Keller Day (PA)
    • Honor America Days (3 weeks)
    • Jefferson Davis Day (AL, FL)
    • Kamehameha Day (HI)
    • Litha (religious)
    • Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib (religious)
    • Odunde Festival (Philadelphia, PA, cultural)
    • Senior Week (week)
    • Saint John's Day (PR, religious)
    • West Virginia Day (WV)
    • Women Veterans Day
    July
  • Independence Day (federal)
    • Asalha Puja Day (religious)
    • Birthday of Don Luis Muñoz Rivera (PR)
    • Birthday of Dr. José Celso Barbosa (PR)
    • Emancipation Day in the U.S. Virgin Islands (VI, cultural)
    • Guru Purnima (religious)
    • Khordad Sal (religious)
    • Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea (HI, unofficial, cultural)
    • Martyrdom of the Báb (religious)
    • Parents' Day (36)
    • Pioneer Day (UT)
    • Puerto Rico Constitution Day (PR)
    July–August
  • Summer vacation
  • Tisha B'Av (religious)
    • August
    • American Family Day (AZ)
    • Barack Obama Day in Illinois (IL)
    • Bennington Battle Day (VT)
    • Dormition of the Theotokos (religious)
    • Eid-e-Ghadeer (religious)
    • Fast in Honor of the Holy Mother of Lord Jesus (religious)
    • Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (religious)
    • Hawaii Admission Day / Statehood Day (HI)
    • Krishna Janmashtami (religious)
    • Lammas (religious)
    • Lyndon Baines Johnson Day (TX)
    • Naga Panchami (religious)
    • National Aviation Day (36)
    • Paryushana (religious)
    • Raksha Bandhan (religious)
    • Transfiguration of the Lord (religious)
    • Victory Day (RI)
    • Women's Equality Day (36)
    SeptemberProstate Cancer Awareness MonthChildhood Cancer Awareness MonthGospel Music Heritage Month
    • Labor Day (federal)
    • Brazilian Day (NY, cultural)
    • California Admission Day (CA)
    • Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Day (36)
    • Constitution Day and Citizenship Day (36)
    • Constitution Week
    • Defenders Day (MD)
    • Elevation of the Holy Cross (religious)
    • Feast of San Gennaro (NY, cultural, religious)
    • Ganesh Chaturthi (religious)
    • Gold Star Mother's Day (36)
    • His Holiness Sakya Trizin's Birthday (religious)
    • Mabon (religious)
    • National Grandparents Day (36)
    • National Payroll Week (week)
    • Nativity of Mary / Nativity of the Theotokos (religious)
    • Native American Day (proposed federal)
    • Patriot Day (36)
    • Von Steuben Day
    September–OctoberHispanic Heritage Month
  • Chehlum Imam Hussain (religious)
  • Oktoberfest
  • Pitri Paksha (religious)
  • Rosh Hashanah / Feast of Trumpets (TX, NY, religious)
  • Shemini Atzeret (religious)
  • Simchat Torah (religious)
  • Vijaya Dashami (religious)
  • Yom Kippur / Day of Atonement (TX, NY, religious)
    • OctoberBreast Cancer Awareness MonthDisability Employment Awareness Month Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month Filipino American History MonthLGBT History Month
    • Columbus Day (federal)
    • Halloween
    • Alaska Day (AK)
    • Child Health Day (36)
    • General Pulaski Memorial Day
    • German-American Day
    • Indigenous Peoples' Day
    • International Day of Non-Violence
    • Leif Erikson Day (36)
    • Missouri Day (MO)
    • Nanomonestotse (cultural)
    • National School Lunch Week (week)
    • Native American Day in South Dakota (SD)
    • Nevada Day (NV)
    • Spirit Day (cultural)
    • Sweetest Day
    • Sukkot / Feast of Tabernacles (religious, week)
    • Virgin Islands–Puerto Rico Friendship Day (PR, VI)
    • White Cane Safety Day (36)
    October–November
  • Birth of the Báb (religious)
  • Birth of Baháʼu'lláh (religious)
  • Day of the Dead (VI)
  • Diwali (NY, religious)
  • Mawlid al-Nabi (religious)
    • November Native American Indian Heritage Month
    • Veterans Day (federal)
    • Thanksgiving (federal)
    • Ascension of ‘Abdu’l Baha (religious)
    • All Saints' Day (religious)
    • Beginning of the Nativity Fast (religious)
    • Beltane / Samhain (religious)
    • Barack Obama Day in Alabama (Perry County, AL)
    • D. Hamilton Jackson Day (VI)
    • Day after Thanksgiving (24)
    • Day of the Covenant (religious)
    • Discovery of Puerto Rico Day (PR)
    • Election Day (CA, DE, HI, KY, MT, NJ, NY, OH, PR, VA, WV, proposed federal)
    • Family Day (NV)
    • Friendsgiving
    • Guru Nanak Gurpurab (religious)
    • Hanukkah (religious)
    • Lā Kūʻokoʻa (HI, unofficial, cultural)
    • Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur (religious)
    • Native American Heritage Day (MD, WA, cultural)
    • Presentation of the Theotokos to the Temple (religious)
    • Trans Day of Remembrance (cultural)
    • Unthanksgiving Day (cultural)
    December
  • Christmas (religious, federal)
  • New Year's Eve
    • Advent Sunday (religious)
    • Alabama Day (AL)
    • Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib (religious)
    • Bodhi Day (religious)
    • Chalica (religious)
    • Christmas Eve (KY, NC, SC, PR, VI)
    • Day after Christmas (KY, NC, SC, TX, VI)
    • Festivus
    • HumanLight
    • Hanukkah (religious, week)
    • Immaculate Conception (religious)
    • Indiana Day (IN)
    • Kwanzaa (cultural, week)
    • Milad Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (religious)
    • National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (36)
    • Nativity of Jesus (religious)
    • Old Year's Night (VI)
    • Pan American Aviation Day (36)
    • Pancha Ganapati (religious, week)
    • Rosa Parks Day (OH, OR)
    • Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (religious)
    • Wright Brothers Day (36)
    • Yule (religious)
    • Zartosht No-Diso (religious)
    Varies (year round)
  • Eid al-Adha (NY, religious)
  • Eid al-Fitr (NY, religious)
  • Islamic New Year (religious)
  • Yawm al-Arafa (religious)
  • Hajj (religious)
  • Laylat al-Qadr (religious)
  • Navaratri (religious, four times a year)
  • Obon (religious)
  • Onam (religious)
  • Ramadan (religious, month)
  • Ghost Festival (religious)
  • Yawm Aashura (religious)
    • Legend:

    (federal) = federal holidays, (abbreviation) = state/territorial holidays, (religious) = religious holidays, (cultural) = holiday related to a specific racial/ethnic group or sexual minority, (week) = week-long holidays, (month) = month-long holidays, (36) = Title 36 Observances and Ceremonies

    See also: Lists of holidays, Hallmark holidays, Public holidays in the United States, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands.

    Tag » What Is Sweetest Day 2021