March 6th marks National Oreo Day, a celebration of the world's most popular cookie. While the holiday itself is not a federally recognized observance, it serves as an opportunity for brands and consumers to honor the history of the Oreo sandwich cookie and for retailers to occasionally offer promotional incentives. For consumers seeking freebies and deals, National Oreo Day 2020 was characterized by a mix of historical context, brand storytelling, and scattered offers from third-party retailers and food chains, rather than a centralized, direct-to-consumer free sample program from the Oreo brand itself.
The origins of the Oreo trace back to March 6, 1912, when the National Biscuit Company, later known as Nabisco, sold its first Oreo sandwich cookies to a grocer in Hoboken, New Jersey. This date is the basis for the March 6th celebration. The original cookies featured two chocolate disks with a creme filling, a design that has remained largely consistent over the last century. Despite the existence of earlier competitors, such as the Hydrox cookie released in 1908, the Oreo quickly rose to become the best-selling cookie in the United States and, eventually, the world.
In 2020, National Oreo Day did not feature a widespread, official free sample distribution from Nabisco or Oreo directly. Instead, consumers looking for freebies had to look toward third-party deals, restaurant promotions, and educational content regarding the cookie's history. One of the primary sources of information for these deals was a blog post from "The Nibble," which detailed the history of the cookie and noted that while the holiday is a "made-up" observance, it is a fun day to celebrate the cookie. The post did not list specific freebies available for redemption on that specific day but rather provided background on the cookie's invention and evolution.
Regarding specific freebies and deals associated with the time period, consumers had to look at broader food holidays or overlapping promotions. For example, while National Ice Cream Day falls in July, there were no direct links in the source material between National Oreo Day and free ice cream offers in 2020. However, the sources did highlight specific freebies available during National Ice Cream Day 2020, which is distinct from National Oreo Day. During National Ice Cream Day on July 19, 2020, Baskin-Robbins offered a free scoop on orders of $15 or more through DoorDash using the promo code BASKINSCOOP. This offer was specific to ice cream and not directly tied to National Oreo Day, though Oreo is a popular flavor in ice cream.
For National Oreo Day specifically, the available deals in 2020 were largely centered around restaurant promotions that included Oreo products, rather than free standing packages of cookies. For instance, Jack in the Box offered a free Oreo milkshake with certain orders on National Cookie Day (December 4), which is a different holiday. Mrs. Fields offered a free cookie with a purchase on National Cookie Day. BJ’s Brewhouse offered a free pizookie (a pizza-shaped cookie dessert) for joining their rewards program. These offers were part of National Cookie Day rather than National Oreo Day, but they are relevant to consumers seeking free Oreo-related products.
The lack of direct free samples from Oreo in 2020 is consistent with the brand's marketing strategy, which focuses more on new product launches and limited-edition flavors rather than mass distribution of free samples. In 2020, Oreo did have a significant product update: the return of the Red Velvet flavor. This flavor was reintroduced in September 2023, but in 2020, the brand was focused on other innovations. The Red Velvet Oreo is described as layering cream cheese creme between red-colored, red velvet-flavored cookies. While this was a major product release, it was not a free sample offer.
The history of the Oreo is rich and detailed. Sam J. Porcello, a food scientist at Nabisco, is credited with inventing the thick, creamy filling that made Oreos stand out. He also developed the "stuf" in Double Stuf Oreos and chocolate-covered varieties. Porcello's contributions are a key part of the Oreo legacy, often highlighted on National Oreo Day. The cookie has sold over 60 billion units annually worldwide, with over 20 billion sold in the U.S. alone, according to a 2025 press release.
For consumers in 2020 looking for free Oreo products, the primary avenue was likely through third-party coupon sites or rewards programs rather than direct manufacturer offers. For example, 7-Eleven offered a free medium Slurpee to 7Rewards loyalty program members through July 31, 2020, though this was not specifically for Oreo products. Coolhaus offered free ice cream at Publix with a digital coupon, which might have included Oreo-flavored products, but the source material does not specify.
It is important to distinguish between National Oreo Day (March 6) and National Cookie Day (December 4). While both celebrate cookies, National Cookie Day is more likely to feature widespread deals from various brands, including Mrs. Fields and Jack in the Box. National Oreo Day is more focused on the specific history and marketing of the Oreo brand.
The educational aspect of National Oreo Day is significant. Teachers and parents often use the day to teach children about the history of the cookie, including its invention in 1912 and the evolution of its flavors. The original Oreo flavors were chocolate and lemon meringue; the lemon meringue was discontinued in the 1920s. This historical context is often shared on blogs and social media using hashtags like #NationalOreoCookieDay and #OreoCookieDay.
In summary, National Oreo Day 2020 did not offer a specific, widespread free sample program directly from the Oreo brand. Consumers seeking freebies were more likely to find them through associated food holidays or restaurant promotions that included Oreo ingredients. The day serves primarily as a marketing and educational observance rather than a day for mass distribution of free products.
Conclusion
National Oreo Day, observed annually on March 6th, commemorates the 1912 introduction of the Oreo sandwich cookie by Nabisco. While the day is a popular cultural observance, it does not typically feature direct free sample programs from the Oreo brand itself. In 2020, consumers seeking free Oreo-related products found deals primarily through third-party restaurant promotions and broader food holiday events, such as National Cookie Day in December, rather than specific National Oreo Day giveaways. The day remains a significant opportunity for brand education and historical reflection on the cookie's global success.