Sweetest Day, observed on the third Saturday of October, was started in Cleveland in 1922 by candy employee and philanthropist, Herbert Birch Kingston as a way to give something or do something nice to those less fortunate than ourselves. Originally called “The Sweetest Day of the Year,” Sweetest Day has evolved into a romantic holiday, similar to Valentine’s Day.
The first Sweetest Day came out of one man’s desire to do something “sweet” for Cleveland’s orphans and unfortunate residents. With the help of movie stars, Theda Bara and Ann Pennington, Herbert Birch Kingston, delivered thousands of boxes of candy throughout the city. Begun in 1922, the holiday, observed on the third Saturday of each month, became popular during the bleak economic times of the Great Depression.
Typical Sweetest Day activities include going out to dinner at a special restaurant or giving chocolates, flowers, or greeting cards. Indeed anything “special” is an apt gift or activity for Sweetest Day.
Sweetest Day – National Holiday Founded in Cleveland? was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
