National M&M Day
In the Obscure Holiday Calendar app, National M&M Day ✨ includes custom visuals, smart reminders, and fast share links.
Overview
National M&M Day, observed annually on October 13th, is an unofficial holiday dedicated to celebrating the beloved chocolate candy, M&M's. This day encourages fans to indulge in the colorful, button-shaped chocolates that are famously known for their hard candy shell, preventing them from melting in your hand. It's a sweet occasion to appreciate the enduring appeal and global popularity of one of the world's most iconic confectionery treats.
Origin and story
M&M's were first sold in the United States in 1941, inspired by Forrest Mars Sr.'s observation of Spanish Civil War soldiers eating chocolate pellets with a hard candy coating.
The 'M's in M&M's stand for Mars (Forrest Mars Sr.) and Murrie (Bruce Murrie, son of Hershey's president William Murrie, who partnered with Mars).
Quick facts
- DateOctober 13
- TypeCultural / community observance
- Great forFriends, Families, Classrooms, Teams
Ways to celebrate
M&M's exist because of a battlefield observation — the candy shell was a wartime solution before it was ever a snack-time convenience.
Trace it to the Spanish Civil War
Forrest Mars Sr. watched soldiers in the Spanish Civil War eating chocolate pellets coated in a hard sugar shell to keep them from melting, and decided to build an American version of the same idea.
Know where the name actually comes from
The "M&M" name comes from a 1941 business partnership: Forrest Mars needed Hershey's chocolate supply and expertise during wartime rationing, so he teamed up with Bruce Murrie, son of Hershey's president, and named the candy after both of their initials.
Read the fuller history
Helpful resources:
Did you know?
The U.S. Army became M&M's first major customer, since the melt-proof shell solved a real problem for troops carrying chocolate through hot, tropical climates during World War II.
Fun facts
- M&M's were first sold in the United States in 1941, inspired by Forrest Mars Sr.'s observation of Spanish Civil War soldiers eating chocolate pellets with a hard candy coating.
- The 'M's in M&M's stand for Mars (Forrest Mars Sr.) and Murrie (Bruce Murrie, son of Hershey's president William Murrie, who partnered with Mars).
- The original M&M's colors were brown, yellow, orange, red, and green; blue was added to the standard color mix in 1995 after a public vote.
Sources and attribution
Six Times M&M's Made History (HISTORY)
External links may lead to third-party websites.
Continue your streak
Open one more holiday before you go to build daily momentum.
FAQ
- When is National M&M Day?
- It is observed on October 13 each year.
- What is National M&M Day?
- National M&M Day, observed annually on October 13th, is an unofficial holiday dedicated to celebrating the beloved chocolate candy, M&M's. This day encourages fans to indulge in the colorful, button-shaped chocolates that are famously known for their hard candy shell, preventing them from melting in your hand. It's a sweet occasion to appreciate the enduring appeal and global popularity of one of the world's most iconic confectionery treats.
- How do people celebrate National M&M Day?
- Snack on M&M's and consider their wartime origin — Forrest Mars Sr. modeled the candy shell on chocolate pellets he saw Spanish Civil War soldiers eating, and the U.S. Army became the candy's first major customer.
Get the app
Thousands of obscure holidays, daily widgets, reminders, and fun facts—free on iOS and Android.