Every year on September 30th, people across the United States celebrate National Chewing Gum Day. It’s a day dedicated to appreciating the sticky, sweet, and sometimes minty treat that has been a part of human culture for centuries. While chewing gum might not seem like a cause for celebration to everyone, it actually has an intriguing history and a surprising range of benefits. Did you know that chewing gum was even used by astronauts in space? They use it to help with oral hygiene, relieve ear pressure, prevent dry mouth, and reduce stress!
By the way, there is a similar day called National Bubblegum Day, celebrated on the first Friday of February every year.
History of National Chewing Gum Day
National Chewing Gum Day has been celebrated for several years, although the exact origin of the day remains somewhat mysterious. It’s simply one of those quirky, light-hearted observances that we love.
The history of chewing gum is, however, more well-documented. We know that ancient civilizations, such as the Mayans and Greeks, chewed natural resins like chicle and mastic for both pleasure and medicinal purposes, setting the stage for the modern chewing gum industry that began to take shape in the late 19th century with the commercialization of gum in the United States. This early commercialization was spearheaded by innovators like Thomas Adams, who popularized chicle-based gum, leading to the widespread and diverse array of chewing gum products we see today.
When Is National Chewing Gum Day Observed?
Each year, on September 30th, people across the country take a moment to appreciate the simple joy of chewing gum. To help you plan ahead, here are the dates for National Chewing Gum Day.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2024 | September 30, Monday |
| 2025 | September 30, Tuesday |
| 2026 | September 30, Wednesday |
| 2027 | September 30, Thursday |
| 2028 | September 30, Saturday |
| 2029 | September 30, Sunday |
| 2030 | September 30, Monday |
Chewing Gum Fun Facts
Chewing gum has been around for ages, but there’s so much more to this sticky treat than meets the eye! In celebration of National Chewing Gum Day, let’s explore how gum has journeyed from ancient civilizations to modern-day record-breakers, with a fascinating history and some surprising stories along the way. Before you unwrap your next piece, check out these fun and quirky facts about everyone’s favorite chewy delight!
- People have been enjoying gum-like substances for thousands of years, with the ancient Greeks chewing mastic from tree resin and the Mayans favoring chicle from the sapodilla tree.
- Chewing gum saw a significant rise in popularity during World War II, when soldiers used it to relieve stress, and the U.S. military even included it in their rations.
- In 2004, Chad Fell set a record by blowing a bubble that stretched an impressive 20 inches in diameter using three pieces of Dubble Bubble gum.
- Chewing gum has even traveled to space, as NASA includes it in the food supply for astronauts—typically sugar-free to avoid any sticky situations.
- Studies suggest that chewing gum can improve concentration and memory, possibly due to increased blood flow to the brain.
- In some cities, recycling programs have been established to repurpose used gum into products like rubber or even shoes.
- The debate over which gum flavor lasts the longest continues, but many agree that mint and cinnamon tend to be the most enduring, depending on the brand and formulation.
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendar 2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
