Welcome to the Daily Quote – a podcast designed to kickstart your day in a positive way. I'm your host, Andrew McGivern, for October 28th.Today is National Chocolate Day, a delicious celebration of one of the world's most beloved treats. Observed annually on October 28th in the United States, this day invites us to indulge in chocolate's many forms – from classic milk chocolate bars to rich dark chocolate, from creamy truffles to decadent cakes.The history of chocolate stretches back over 3,000 years to ancient Mesoamerican civilizations. The Olmecs, Mayans, and Aztecs cultivated cacao beans and created a bitter, frothy beverage they believed was a gift from the gods. The Aztec word "Theobroma" literally means "food of the gods." When Spanish explorers brought chocolate to Europe in the 16th century, it transformed from a ceremonial drink into the sweet treat we know today. The first solid chocolate bar was created by Joseph Fry in 1847 when he discovered that adding melted cocoa butter back to Dutch cocoa created a moldable paste.What makes National Chocolate Day special is its recognition that chocolate is more than just candy – it's comfort, celebration, and a small indulgence that can brighten even the most difficult days.Today's quote comes from author John Tullius, who said:"Nine out of ten people like chocolate. The tenth person always lies."Tullius's humorous observation captures something genuine about chocolate's universal appeal. While he's clearly exaggerating for comedic effect, there's truth underneath the joke – chocolate is one of the few things that crosses virtually every boundary. Age, culture, economic status, personal taste – chocolate finds fans everywhere.Think about what makes chocolate so universally beloved. It's not just the taste, though that certainly helps. Chocolate triggers the release of endorphins in our brains, literally making us feel happier. It contains compounds like phenylethylamine, sometimes called the "love drug" because it creates feelings similar to being in love. There's actual chemistry behind why chocolate makes us feel good.But beyond the science, chocolate represents something more. It's associated with celebration, comfort, romance, and reward. We give chocolate as gifts, we eat it when we're sad, we celebrate with it when we're happy. It's one of the few foods that works for basically any emotional state or occasion.Tullius's joke suggests that disliking chocolate is so unusual it must be dishonesty rather than genuine preference. While some people genuinely don't enjoy chocolate, his point stands – chocolate is about as close to universally loved as any food gets. National Chocolate Day celebrates this rare common ground.So today, embrace the spirit of National Chocolate Day and Tullius's humorous wisdom about chocolate's universal appeal. Treat yourself to some really good chocolate today – not the grab-and-go kind, but something you actually savor and enjoy.But also think about chocolate as common ground. In a world that often feels divided, chocolate reminds us that universal pleasures still exist. What other common ground might you be overlooking? What simple pleasures could bring people together despite their differences?Maybe share some chocolate with coworkers or neighbors today. Sometimes the best conversations and connections happen over shared sweetness, literally and figuratively.
That's going to do it for today. Thanks for listening. I'm Andrew McGivern signing off for now. But I'll be back tomorrow, same pod time, same pod station - with another Daily Quote.