Greetings and salutations. In the words of the young JD. If you prefer a more substantial character than JD in Heathers, salutations! After all, "When I say 'salutations,' it's just my fancy way of saying hello or good morning." On November 4th, we celebrate National Candy Day, which has a long and fascinating history.

Candy is believed to have originated in India between the 6th and 4th centuries BC, where people had access to sugarcane, which is indigenous to Southeast Asia. They boiled down sugarcane juice into individual pieces of sugar, which they called "khanda." Before sugarcane was domesticated outside of Asia, honey was the go-to sweetener and was used to preserve fruits and flowers for later consumption as "candy." This practice was popular in China, the Middle East, Egypt, Greece, and Rome.

Initially, candy was consumed mostly by the wealthy and promoted as an aid to digestive health. However, the Industrial Revolution changed people's lives in the 1830s, and technological advances allowed candy to be accessible to more than just the rich. A new market for children was created, and candy grew in popularity, much to the dismay of dentists. Today, candy continues to hold a significant place in our hearts as a yummy treat or even a medicine for a broken heart. It's simply the bee's knees!

This brief history of candy may seem simple, but it carries with it an incredible journey of cultural significance and technological advances. From the simple practice of boiling sugarcane juice to the creation of delicious treats, candy has come a long way, and we celebrate it every November 4th.

I Want Candy was a cover song released in 1982 by Bow Wow Wow
Originally the song was recorded and released in 1965 by the band The Strangeloves
Originally, The Strangeloves intended I want Candy to be a cover of a song called “Bo Diddley” recorded in 1955
In the ’90s, Mr. Iggy Pop loved Candy so much that he wrote a song about it.

Boring Preachy Part

Sweet Dream, Saccharine, Loosen Up