The History of Sweetest Day - One of the Many Hallmark Holidays

When you think of Sweetest Day what comes to mind? Cards, flowers, chocolates, stuffed animals, and most of all cards. Halmark and American Greetings the two biggest card producers in the world estimate that more than 7 billion cards are sold in the United States annually for Sweetest Day in October which is observed the 3rd week of October and Valentine's Day the 2nd week of February. Sweetest Day is identical to Valentine's Day since you get the same thing which is chocolates, flowers, stuffed animals, and other gifts that many exchange on Valentine's Day. The history of this holiday is rather interesting it's roots go back to Cleveland, Ohio dating back to 1922. A candy company employee and philanthropist named Herbert Birch Kingston wanted to start something to bring happiness to the lives of orphans, shut-ins, and those who were forgotten. With the help of friends and acquaintences he passed out candy and small gifts to the poor. Film star Ann Pennington presented a total of 2,200 boxes of candy to the newsies (1920s and 30s term for newspaper boys) as a gesture of thanks for their service to the public. Another film star Theda Bara passed out a total of 10,000 boxes of candy to people in local Cleveland hospitals and even gave theater patrons for coming to view her movie. Originally an event celebrated in the Great Lakes region and the Northeast, but over the years Sweetest Day has began to gain popularity to other areas of the country until the two biggest card producers decided to make a profit off of selling cards and gifts which sells in the millions every year. Sweetest Day traditions move with people even when they left the area of its origin, and Ohio is the state with the highest Sweetest Day sales followed by Michigan and Illinois who are tied and California and Texas are among the top ten states with the highest percentage of Sweetest Day gift and flower sales.