National Hard Candy Day is observed worldwide every December 19, celebrating one of the oldest types of candy known to humanity. This holiday honors hard candy, which is primarily made from sugar and has a history that traces back to ancient India, where sugarcane is indigenous. Traditionally, sugar candies were enjoyed by the upper classes and often used for medicinal purposes before the Industrial Revolution. Today, hard candy is made by heating a sugar-based syrup and allowing it to cool, resulting in a hard and brittle texture. Common examples include lollipops and candy canes, the latter being especially associated with the Christmas season. To celebrate, people can enjoy hard candy, share it with others, attempt to make their own, or decorate gingerbread houses with hard candy. Participants are encouraged to use social media hashtags like #NationalHardCandyDay to spread the joy of this sweet holiday.