National Bomb Pop Day: The Coolest Holiday You Didn’t Know You Needed

If you needed a reason to treat yourself to a frozen dessert on a Thursday, here you go. The last Thursday in June is reserved for enjoying a summertime favorite on National Bomb Pop Day. This year, that falls on June 25 — and yes, it’s absolutely a valid excuse to hit up the ice cream truck.

The rocket shape and vivid colors of a Bomb Pop remind us of fireworks, preparing you for the excitement of the upcoming 4th of July holiday. Think of it as a warm-up lap for America’s favorite holiday — except cold. Very, very cold.

Born in the Cold War, Built for Summer

The Bomb Pop has a surprisingly deep backstory for a popsicle. The Bomb Pop was first invented by D.S. Abernethy and James S. Merritt of Merritt Foods on July 30, 1955, in Kansas City, Missouri. The duo came up with this cool, frozen treat as a way to reflect American patriotism and hopefully ease tensions felt in households watching the U.S. and Soviet Union navigate the possibility of a nuclear war. Nothing says “please don’t nuke us” quite like a tri-colored popsicle, but hey — it worked.

The inspiration came during a car ride from Memphis to Kansas City as the two brainstormed a new kind of ice pop — something eye-catching, multi-flavored, and uniquely American. Their idea took shape as a rocket-inspired design with six fins, a nod to both the space race and the nuclear age. Intentionally created in the shape of a star and rocket, the Bomb Pop also reflected the country’s patriotism by using red, white, and blue colors to signify the colors of the U.S. flag.

By 1971, the Bomb Pop was officially trademarked, and a few years later, in 1975, Merritt Foods president James W. Wilkerson secured a patent for the treat. Throughout the 1960s and ’70s, the Bomb Pop cemented its place in ice cream trucks and convenience stores across the country — becoming part of childhood memories, family picnics, and countless backyard barbecues.

The Bomb Pop Lives On

In 1991, Merritt Foods closed its doors, and the Bomb Pop might have vanished if not for Wells Dairy of Le Mars, Iowa, which acquired the brand. Under Wells’ ownership, the Bomb Pop line expanded significantly, both in flavor variety and national reach. The Original Bomb Pop is now made by Wells Enterprises, a family-owned ice cream manufacturer out of Le Mars, Iowa.

And in case you didn’t know, the Bomb Pop is not exactly lacking for competition. In 1989, Popsicle released a competing patriotic pop called the Firecracker Pop, featuring the flavors cherry, blue raspberry, and white lemon. On top of that, you’ve got Bomb Pop imitators, like “Freedom Pops” from Walmart and “Firecracker” Ice Pops from Popsicle. Imitation is the sincerest form of frozen flattery, we suppose.

The Flavors: Original and Beyond

Original Bomb Pops were a combination of cherry (red), lime (white), and raspberry (blue). Simple, patriotic, perfect. But since 2015, the brand has expanded its lineup for those of us who like to live on the edge. Current flavors include:

• Fruit
• Hawaiian Punch
• Sour Warheads
• Banana Fudge
• Lemonade
• Jolly Rancher
• Sugar Free

The Original Bomb Pop is now made by Wells Enterprises and comes in more than a dozen tricolored flavors, including Nerds and Shrek. Yes, Shrek. We’re just as surprised as you are.

So When Did National Bomb Pop Day Become a Thing?

The 50th anniversary of the Bomb Pop was the start of National Bomb Pop Day, which is celebrated on the last Thursday in June. The day is deliberately timed for the last Thursday of June, placing it right before the Fourth of July when the treat’s patriotic colors and fireworks-like shape feel especially fitting. Genius marketing? Sure. But also genuinely a great excuse to eat a popsicle on a Thursday afternoon, so we’re not complaining.

How to Celebrate

Honestly, this one is pretty self-explanatory. There is no better way to celebrate this day than to buy this frozen patriot-sicle for yourself or the young ones. Bomb Pops can be bought from ice cream trucks (if your neighborhood still has them) or most convenience stores. Bring Bomb Pops to work to share, or host a small summer pool party with Bomb Pops for a little extra chill.

For many people, Bomb Pops evoke childhood memories of neighborhood ice cream trucks, family picnics, community festivals, and long summer afternoons. So whether you’re a lifelong fan or you’re introducing someone new to the magic of a tri-colored frozen rocket pop, today’s the day to do it.

Don’t forget to share your celebration on social media using #NationalBombPopDay. Post your Bomb Pop selfie, tag your crew, and let the world know you’ve got excellent taste — literally.