Everyone's had them, kids love to play with them and eat them and they've been around for a long time now.

Cheerios, America's most popular cereal, is celebrating its 70th anniversary and about a quarter of those golden oats are made right here in Covington.

Covington Mayor Kim Carter read a proclamation Thursday at the plant honoring employees for everything they bring to their company and their community.
Chamber President Hunter Hall continued the theme speaking about how General Mills' commitment to Newton County, through community service and donations, keeps the community strong.

For 22 years General Mills has been producing its signature cereal in Covington, and the brand has been the nation's leading cereal since 2003.

The cereal was first introduced as Cheerioats in 1941 and given the slogan "The Breakfast Food You've Always Wanted." Four years later, after researches tested 500 formulas and more than 10 shapes, the Cheerios flavor, shape and name were solidified.

Honey Nut Cheerios was introduced in 1979 and became the most popular brand in 2009. Today, there are 11 brands of Cheerios; check them out at cheerios.com, and one out of every eight boxes of cereal purchased carries the Cheerios name.