Bubble Gum Day

February 5, 2009

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Profile America — Thursday, February 5th. Today — with the principal’s approval, of course — many students around the U.S. will be able to do the unthinkable — chew bubble gum in school. The unusual freedom will cost 50 cents. The idea of Bubble Gum Day is to earn money for the school’s favorite charity. Bubble gum was invented by accident in 1928 by Walter Diemer, who worked for the Fleer Chewing Gum Company. He made an experimental batch that was less sticky than regular gum and also stretched more easily. It was an immediate hit. That first batch of bubble gum was pink because that was the only food color available to Diemer. Americans buy a half-billion pounds of all forms of chewing gum each year — worth more than $2.5 billion. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at <www.census.gov>.

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2009, p. 117
U.S. Department of Commerce/Census Bureau, 311D Report
http://www.ecandy.com/Content.aspx?ContentID=6703