Gobstopper Day

Gobstopper Day celebrates a beloved children’s candy. These hard sweets, known as Gobstoppers or Jawbreakers in the United States, have fascinated both adults and children, earning their own special holiday on September 14 each year.

History

Gobstoppers first appeared in England and North America in the 20th century. Originally called Jawbreakers because of their hardness, they must be consumed slowly to avoid damaging teeth.

Their popularity skyrocketed after Roald Dahl’s iconic depiction in his story about a chocolate factory, which featured candies that changed colors and flavors. Since 1976, Gobstoppers have been made with multiple colorful layers that dissolve one at a time in your mouth.

Producing Gobstoppers is a lengthy, careful process. They’re created in large heated vats, where each layer is applied in succession to a sugar core. Natural dyes and flavors are used, and the candies must be handled with care to prevent cracking due to differences in pressure between their inner and outer layers.

Interesting facts

• Gobstoppers can range from 1 to 3 centimeters in diameter.
• The word “gob” is Irish slang for “mouth,” which fits the candy’s name: Gobstoppers literally “stop the mouth.”
• It can take several weeks to produce a single Gobstopper.

How to take part

Celebrate Gobstopper Day by enjoying these classic candies. Try a friendly competition with friends to see who can hold the most Gobstoppers in their mouth (but be gentle on your teeth).

Share the joy by gifting Gobstoppers with a thoughtful note. For extra fun, watch Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or read Roald Dahl’s book that inspired the magic of these sweets.

When is Gobstopper Day in 2025?

Gobstopper Day is observed on September 14 each year.

Observations