Smarties celebrated the first-ever National Smarties Day on Sunday, Oct. 2.

Smarties candies have been enjoyed by generations of Americans for nearly 75 years. The company was founded in 1949 by Edward Dee, who was born on Oct. 2, 1924, and came to the United States by boat with two machines and a mission to bring his family's candy making tradition to the U.S. He fulfilled his dream and created Smarties candy. Today, more than two billion Smarties rolls are made each year, with machines running 24 hours per day in two candy factories.

Smarties Candy Company is a woman-run, New Jersey-based family business, now headed by the founder's granddaughters, co-presidents Jessica Dee Sawyer, Sarah Dee and Liz Dee. As fifth-generation candy makers, the co-presidents have launched new candy items, added solar power to the New Jersey facility, and improved production processes with a commitment to keep their manufacturing in North America.

"National Smarties Day is meaningful because we honor Edward Dee's American dream come true while celebrating the one and only Smarties candy roll," says co-president Jessica Dee Sawyer. "With a donation to support classrooms in need and the #SmartiesChallenge launch on TikTok, we commemorate National Smarties Day, 2022!"

Smarties Candy Company is celebrating National Smarties Day with a $25,000 donation to public school classrooms in need through DonorsChoose. 2022 marks 10 years of support through the Smarties Think initiative, totaling $250,000 for students and teachers.

The company has launched a #SmartiesChallenge on TikTok, asking fans to "do something smart with Smarties" to win a year's supply of candy for two winners and a friend. The challenge was kicked off with a "Smarties Caviar" video by Michael Ligier, who shared the sponsored post with his three million TikTok followers on Tuesday.