OVERVIEW OF SWEETEST DAY
Sweetest Day is a holiday primarily celebrated in the Midwestern U.S. states of Illinois, Michigan and Ohio, but recently seems to have gained popularity in other regions, particularly the Northeast. It is celebrated on the third Saturday in the month of October.
The holiday is said to have begun in the city of Cleveland, Ohio in 1922. Candy store employee Herbert Birch Kingston put together a group of citizens to provide small gifts to homeless people, orphans, and others who had fallen on hard times. This tradition now seems to largely involve giving small presents, such as cards, candy and flowers, to family, friends, and lovers.
HISTORY OF SWEETEST DAY
Mostly a regional celebration in the Great Lakes region and the Northeast, Sweetest Day now is beginning to be observed in other areas as well. Ohio is one of the top states for high Sweetest Day sales. They are followed by California, Florida, Michigan and Illinois to be in the top 10 for sales on this day.
Over time, it is evolving to be another holiday in which to show romantic love or appreciation to friends.
SWEETEST DAY TRIVIA
On the first Sweetest Day, Ann Pennington (movie star) gave over 2,000 Cleveland newspaper boys boxes of candy to show her gratitude for their service to the public.
Theda Bara also distributed 10,000 boxes of candy to residents of Cleveland hospitals and anyone who came to see her at the local theater.
Source: The English Wikipedia
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