National Have a Coke Day Date in the current year: May 8, 2024

Coca-Cola, often referred to as simply Coke, is a carbonated soft drink that has been manufactured by the Coca-Cola Company since the late 19th century. Originally intended as a medicine, it is arguably the world’s most famous soft drink.

Coca-Cola was invented by American pharmacist and veteran of the Confederate States Army John Stith Pemberton. He sustained a wound in the American Civil War and subsequently became addicted to morphine. Driven by a desire to combat addiction, Pemberton put his medical degree to use to develop a substitute for the drug.

His first product was Pemberton’s French Wine Coca, an alcoholic beverage that consisted of French wine, coca leaves (a source of cocaine), kola nuts (a source of caffeine), and damiana. The beverage was marketed as a patent medicine and advertised as a cure for multiple conditions, ranging from headache to indigestion. Pemberton sold the product at his drug store in Columbus, Georgia.

In 1886, Atlanta and Fulton County passed prohibition legislation, so Pemberton created a non-alcoholic version of his beverage, marketed as a temperance drink, and named it Coca-Cola as a reference to the drink’s two main ingredients, coca leaves and kola nuts, and because the name was alliterative.

The first glass of Coca-Cola was sold at Jacob’s Pharmacy in Atlanta on May 8, 1886. This day is considered the birthday of Coca-Cola and celebrated as National Have a Coke Day. Just like its alcoholic predecessor, Coca-Cola was marketed as a patent medicine.

In 1888, Asa Gridds Candler purchased the Coca-Cola brand and recipe from Pemberton’s estate. Four years later, he formally founded the Coca-Cola Company. By 1895, Coca-Cola was sold nationwide. In 1903, cocaine was removed from the formula of the drink, and caffeine remained the only stimulant in the recipe

Since Candler’s purchase of the recipe, the formula for Coca-Cola has remained a closely guarded trade secret. According to the Coca-Cola Company, only two employees know the complete formula at any given time, and their identities are also a secret. Although a few sources claim that the drink still contains coca leaf extract with the cocaine removed, there is no evidence that Coke still contains either coca leaf or kola nut extract.

Today, Coca-Cola and its variations are sold in over 200 countries throughout the word. The beverage is offered by many major restaurant chains, including McDonald’s, Subway, Burger King, Chipotle, Wendy’s, Olive Garden, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, Domino’s Pizza, and more.

The best way to celebrate National Have a Coke Day is, of course, to indulge in this iconic beverage. You can simply have a glass of Coke, sample as many Coke varieties as you can find, or enjoy a float, a Frozen Coke or an alcoholic cocktail with Coca-Cola. And don’t forget to spread the word about the holiday on social media using the hashtag #NationalHaveACokeDay.