A peppermint patty is a chocolatey piece of perfection: peppermint confectionery candy covered in dark chocolate. Though these candies were made for some time before the York Peppermint Patty came onto the market, it was Hersey Foods Corporation who made them famous in 1940 with the candies bearing the York name.

The York Peppermint Patty gained nationwide popularity with its firm, crisp chocolate shell. People also fell in love with its strongly contrasting flavors -- bitter chocolate around a sweet, sugary center.

Peppermint patties also gained notoriety after the debut of Charles M. Schultz's famous comic strip Peanuts in 1966. They were chosen as the nickname for Peanuts character Patricia "Peppermint Patty" Reichardt. 

Happy Peppermint Patty Day!