National M&M Day

National M&M Day, observed on October 13, celebrates the colorful chocolate candies that have become a favorite treat for generations. Known for their bright shells, variety of flavors, and playful “melts in your mouth, not in your hand” appeal, M&M’s bring a little fun to snack time and special occasions alike.

It’s a sweet opportunity to enjoy M&M’s in your favorite way—by sharing a bowl with friends, adding them to cookies or desserts, or simply savoring a handful. Whether you prefer classic milk chocolate, peanut, or one of the many modern varieties, October 13 invites everyone to celebrate these cheerful candies.

National M&M Day is observed on **October 13** as a celebration of M&M’s, the colorful, candy-coated chocolate pieces that became one of the best-known American confectionery brands. The observance is primarily a popular food-themed occasion rather than a federal or religious holiday. Its exact founder and date of establishment are not clearly documented; holiday-reference sources generally present it as an informal celebration created to recognize the candy’s history, distinctive design, and enduring popularity.

M&M’s were introduced in the United States in 1941 by Forrest E. Mars Sr. and Bruce Murrie. The product was developed during a period when chocolate that could withstand warmer conditions had practical value. Its hard sugar shell helped keep the chocolate from melting as easily, leading to the famous advertising phrase, “The milk chocolate melts in your mouth, not in your hand.” The candy’s name is commonly understood to come from the surnames of its founders—Mars and Murrie.

The product also evolved in response to changing tastes and markets. M&M’s were initially associated with wartime consumption, including military rations, and later became widely available to the general public. Peanut M&M’s were introduced in 1954, broadening the brand beyond its original milk-chocolate center. Over subsequent decades, the company added other varieties, colors, and seasonal offerings, while the recognizable “m” lettering and brightly colored shells remained central to the product’s identity.

The cultural significance of National M&M Day lies in how the candy connects food history, advertising, and popular culture. M&M’s have been used in movies, television, holiday displays, promotional campaigns, and themed events, making them familiar across generations. On **October 13**, people commonly mark the observance by sharing M&M’s, trying different varieties, baking with them, or learning about the brand’s development from a wartime confectionery product into a global consumer symbol.