National Cherry Popsicle Day

The story

The history of the popsicle is a fascinating tale of accidental invention. In 1905, an 11-year-old boy named Francis William Epperson was mixing soda powder with water, creating a soda pop, when he left it out on his porch one cold winter night with the stirring stick still in it. The unusually low temperatures that night resulted in the concoction freezing overnight.

When young Epperson discovered the frozen treat with the stick the next day, the popsicle was born. However, it wasn't until 1922, during a fireman's ball, that Epperson introduced his frosty creation to the world. Its success led him to sell his invention at an amusement park in California.

By 1924, he officially patented it as the Popsicle. Popsicle has become so iconic that it's often used to describe any frozen juice concoction on a stick, even though it's a copyrighted term. Just like other famous brand names like Kleenex or Crock-Pot, Popsicle has become an eponym, a term synonymous with a product category.

Cherry popsicles are among the most popular flavors, and they have a special history in the United States. They were first introduced to the country by Italians who came to work during World War II. While there are various flavors available today, cherries remain a top choice for popsicle enthusiasts worldwide.