In the early 1800's, Norwegian immigrants arrived in the Stoughton, WI area seeking jobs in T.G. Mandt's wagon factory.  While the male immigrants were working in the wagon factory, local tobacco warehouses experienced a shortage in workers... a shortage filled by the Norwegian wives.  The one stipulation that the wives asked for was that they were allowed to have a break in the morning and afternoon to go home and tend to their chores, and of course, have a cup of coffee.  The tobacco warehouse management happily agreed and the coffee break was born. 

While actual term "Coffee Break" was created by the Pan American Coffee Bureau during an ad campaign in 1952 ("Give yourself a  Coffee-Break - and Get What Coffee Gives to You!"), now we all know where the idea REALLY came from.

The good people of Stoughton still celebrate this landmark in history with annual Stoughton Coffee Break Festival in August.  The next time you're sipping slowly during your morning coffee break, remember to think of Stoughton!