National Macaron Day is observed worldwide every March 20, celebrating the delicate almond meringue cookies known as macarons. This holiday was created in 2010 by pastry chef François Payard and coincides with the first day of astronomical spring and International Day of Happiness. On this day, participating bakeries, including notable locations like Payard Patisserie in New York City, offer discounted or free macarons and donate a percentage of sales to local charities. The history of macarons traces back to Italy in the 8th or 9th century, with significant contributions from French nuns during the French Revolution who popularized the treat. Today, macarons come in a wide variety of flavors, and people celebrate by purchasing them from local bakeries, sharing with friends, or making them at home.