Back in 1978, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield opened an ice cream shop in a converted gas station in Burlington, Vermont. Their only experience?

A $5 correspondence course in ice cream making. On their first anniversary, the two were so elated that the little shop was still in business, they decided to give away ice cream cones.

Each year, Ben & Jerry's honors this sweet tradition with its annual Free Cone Day, billed as a celebration of peace, love, and ice cream.

Today, April 12, all 742 Ben & Jerry's scoop shops, located in 26 countries, will throw open their doors to give away a free ice cream cone to anyone who would like one.

The offer is good on a single-scoop cone of your choice — just waltz into the nearest scoop shop near you between noon and 8 p.m. and ask for a free cone — and don't forget to say "Thank you."

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• Free Food