National M&M Day Timeline

1980s

M&M’s went overseas

M&M’s went on sale in Canada, Europe, Australia, Japan, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, and Hong Kong.

1950

M&M’s were branded

A black “M” is printed onto M&M’s to give them a unique look — it was changed to a white “M” in 1954.

1949

The famous tagline was created

The popular M&M tagline, "Melts in your mouth, not in your hand,” was released.

1941

Manufacturing M&M’s began

Forrest Mars Sr. started producing M&M’s at a factory in New Jersey

1930s

The idea for M&M’s was born

After seeing soldiers carry Smarties — chocolate pellets protected by a shell to keep them from melting —during the Spanish Civil War, Forrest Mars Sr., son of the Mars Company founder, pitched the idea of the candy we know today as M&M’s.

National M&M Day Timeline

​1980s

​M&M’s went overseas

​1950

​M&M’s were branded

​1949

​The famous tagline was created

​1941

​Manufacturing M&M’s began

​1930s

​The idea for M&M’s was born