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Get ready to indulge your sweet tooth on National Hard Candy Day on Dec. 19! This fun-filled holiday celebrates the world's oldest and most beloved form of candy -- hard candy! Dating back as far as the 15th century, hard candies have been a favorite treat among children and adults alike. From cinnamon drops to jawbreakers, these delicious treats have been enjoyed for centuries by people all over the world.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1500s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Origins of Hard Candy</div><div class='timeline-text'>Hard candy, made by boiling sugar till it hardens, begins to be enjoyed in Europe during the 1500s.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1847</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Peppermint Candy Invention</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first American candy machine, built by pharmacist Oliver Chase, produces Peppermint Candy, marking a new era in candy production.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1900s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Life Savers Creation</div><div class='timeline-text'>In the early 20th century, Clarence Crane invents Life Savers, a ring-shaped hard candy, significantly popularizing hard candies.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1920</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Jolly Rancher Establishment</div><div class='timeline-text'>Jolly Rancher, a famous hard candy company known for their intense fruit flavors, is founded by Bill Harmsen in Denver, Colorado.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1935</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Introduction of Werther's Original</div><div class='timeline-text'>German company August Storck KG introduces Werther's Original, a popular brand of caramel hard candy, further expanding the global reach of hard candies.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2010</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>National Hard Candy Day Recognition</div><div class='timeline-text'>National Hard Candy Day starts being celebrated annually on Dec. 19, paying homage to this sweet and time-honored treat.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create your own hard candy</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Making hard candy is a fun and rewarding experience. All you need is sugar, food coloring, corn syrup and water. Heat the ingredients together to form a thick syrup and let it cool for about an hour before cutting into shapes.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit a candy store</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take a trip to your local candy store and try out different flavors of hard candy. You can find anything from cherry drops to sour worms to lemon drops.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Make homemade lollipops</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Making homemade lollipops is really easy. All you need is sugar, corn syrup, water, flavoring extract, and food coloring. Mix the ingredients together and pour into molds or cut into shapes with cookie cutters.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Go on a scavenger hunt</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Hide hard candies around the house or outside and create a scavenger hunt for the kids or family members to find them all! They'll have so much fun searching for their treats.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a candy exchange</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite friends over for a candy exchange party! Everyone brings their favorite hard candies to share with everyone else and by the end of it you'll have tried out so many different types of candies.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Hard candy is nostalgic</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Many of us have fond memories of childhood spent enjoying the sweet taste of hard candy. From big-name brands like Jolly Ranchers to classic favorites like lollipops, there's something special about indulging in a treat that takes us back to our carefree days.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Hard candy has unique flavors</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>There are so many different types and flavors of hard candies out there! Whether you're looking for fruity or minty, sour or spicy, you're sure to find exactly what your taste buds are craving. Plus, these goodies often come in various shapes and colors, making them even more fun!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Hard Candy Supports Small Businesses</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Supporting small businesses can go a long way towards helping them thrive. So why not show some love on National Hard Candy Day by purchasing from your favorite local shop or online store? You'll not only be getting delicious treats - you'll also be helping someone out as well!</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Hard Candy Can Last Virtually Forever</h3><p class='facts-content'>When stored properly, hard candy can remain edible for years, and even decades. The long-lasting nature of hard candy made it a popular treat to include in war rations during World War II.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Cough Drops Evolved from Hard Candy</h3><p class='facts-content'>Hard candies were the inspiration for cough drops. The initial concept of cough drops came about when physicians realized that the soothing qualities of hard candy could be enhanced with medicinal ingredients to relieve coughs and sore throats.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Hard Candy Comes in Infinite Shapes and Sizes</h3><p class='facts-content'>From tiny mints to large lollipops, fun-shaped rock candies to traditional stick candies, hard candy can be molded into any shape and size imaginable, making it one of the most versatile forms of confectionery.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Hard Candies Played a Role in Early Sea Travel</h3><p class='facts-content'>In the days of early sea exploration, citrus-flavored hard candies were among the supplies taken on long journeys. They were used to help prevent scurvy, a disease caused by a lack of vitamin C, among sailors.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>There are Artisan Hard Candy Makers</h3><p class='facts-content'>There are artisans dedicated to making complex, gourmet hard candies using traditional methods. These innovative candy creators craft beautiful and delicious candies in unique flavors, often by hand, proving that the art of candy-making is alive and well.</p></div></div>
National Hard Candy Day is celebrated on December 19 every year. In 2024 National Hard Candy Day will occur on a Thursday.
2023
Dec 19
Tuesday
2024
Dec 19
Thursday
2025
Dec 19
Friday
2026
Dec 19
Saturday
2027
Dec 19
Sunday
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