NATIONAL HAVE A COKE DAY

NATIONAL HAVE A COKE DAY May 8

NATIONAL HAVE A COKE DAY

Each year on May 8, millions of people across the country celebrate National Have a Coke Day. Often referred to as Coke, Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink produced by The Coca-Cola Company.

#NationalHaveACokeDay

Coca-Cola was first introduced to the public on May 8, 1886 and served at Jacobs’ Pharmacy in Atlanta, Georgia. Originally sold as a soda fountain beverage, a glass of coca-cola sold for five cents! The original formula was created by Dr. John S. Pemberton, a pharmacist, and was marketed as a tonic for most common ailments, including headaches, fatigue, and nervousness.

Coca-Cola Timeline:

  • 1886 - Coca-Cola goes on sale for the first time as a tonic during the temperance movement.

  • 1891 - Bottling of Coca-Cola begins for the first time at the Biedenharn Candy Company in Vicksburg, Mississippi.

  • 1894 - The first outdoor wall advertisement promoting the Coca-Cola drink was painted in Cartersville, Georgia.

  • 1914 - Atlanta's Fleeman's Pharmacy opens its doors. The longest-running commercial Coca-Cola soda fountain anywhere became a historic landmark of Atlanta and Coca-Cola. The pharmacy closed its doors in 1995 after 81 years.

  • 1944 - The Coca-Cola Company manufactures its one-billionth gallon of Coca-Cola syrup on July 12.

  • 1955 – The company produces its first cans of Coke. The Coca-Cola Company registered their Coke product trademark on March 27, 1944.

  • 2013 - Coke distributes products in over 200 countries around the world as consumers down more than 1.8 million company beverage servings each day.

While the holiday focuses on the bubbly, carbonated beverage, the drink and its associated memorabilia inspire collectors across generations. From sign art to vintage soda fountain glassware, collectors love to replicate classic flavors with authentic style.

7 WAYS TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL HAVE A COKE DAY

There are so many ways to celebrate this day. While enjoying your favorite Coca-Cola product, you can:

  1. Explore the Coca-Cola's company history.

  2. Discover which Coca-Cola collectibles are truly valuable and which ones just tug at our heartstrings.

  3. While you share an icy cold beverage with a friend, watch old Coke commercials.

  4. Enjoy a float or a frozen Coke and debate diet vs. original.

  5. Exploring the world of vintage soda fountains.

  6. For the adults, share your favorite mixed beverage or a flavored variety of this iconic soft drink.

  7. While you celebrate, don't forget to use #NationalHaveACokeDay to share on social media.

NATIONAL HAVE A COKE DAY HISTORY

In the late 19th century, John Pemberton invented Coca-Cola, at Pemberton’s Eagle Drug and Chemical House in Columbus, Georgia. He intended to patent the beverage as medicine. However, Asa Griggs Candler bought out the business and changed the original marketing tactics by advertising the product as a refreshing beverage. As a result, Coke has dominated the world soft-drink market throughout the 20th century.

National Day Calendar has been unable to find who created National Have a Coke Day. We do know the May 8 date aligns with the anniversary of Coca-Cola's introduction to the public on May 8, 1886.