Coca-Cola Day

Originally intended as a patent medicine when it was invented in the late 19th century by Colonel John Pemberton, Coca-Cola was bought out by businessman Asa Griggs Candler for $2,300 from Pemberton’s widow, whose marketing tactics led Coke to its dominance of the world soft-drink market throughout the 20th century. The name refers to two of its original ingredients: kola nuts, a source of caffeine, and coca leaves. The current formula of Coca-Cola remains a trade secret, although a variety of reported recipes and experimental recreations have been published. It was initially sold as a patent medicine for five cents a glass at soda fountains, which were popular in the United States at the time due to the belief that carbonated water was good for the health. Pemberton claimed Coca-Cola cured many diseases, including morphine addiction, dyspepsia, neurasthenia, headache, and impotence. The Coca-Cola trademark was officially registered in the USA on 31 January 1893.