National Donut Appreciation Day
National Donut Day is a cherished celebration honoring both the beloved pastry and the brave Salvation Army volunteers who served donuts to soldiers during World War I.
Quick Facts
When is it: First Friday in June
Tagged as: National Doughnut Day or National Donut Day
What’s the hashtag: #NationalDonutDay #NationalDoughnutDay
When was it founded: 1938
Who founded it: The Salvation Army in Chicago
History of National Donut Day
The holiday originated as a fundraiser by the Salvation Army in Chicago to help those in need during the Great Depression. It specifically honored the “Salvation Army Lassies” who boosted military morale by serving fresh donuts to American soldiers during WWI. These women, known as “Donut Lassies,” would cook donuts in soldiers’ metal helmets, serving up to 300 donuts daily by hand.
Timeline
- 1917: Salvation Army Lassies begin serving donuts to WWI soldiers
- 1920: First automated donut machine invented by Adolph Levitt
- 1934: Clark Gable popularizes donut dunking in “It Happened One Night”
- 1938: First official National Donut Day celebration
Dates by Next Year
| Year | Month | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | June | 7 | Friday |
| 2025 | June | 6 | Friday |
| 2026 | June | 5 | Friday |
| 2027 | June | 4 | Friday |
| 2028 | June | 2 | Friday |
| 2029 | June | 1 | Friday |
How It’s Observed
Many bakeries and donut shops offer free donuts or special deals. People celebrate by enjoying their favorite donuts and sharing them with others, particularly first responders and community service workers. The Salvation Army continues using this day for fundraising and community outreach.
Fun Facts About Donuts
- Over 10 billion donuts are made annually in the United States
- Boston has the most donut shops per capita
- The geometric name for a donut shape is “toroid”
- Both “donut” and “doughnut” spellings are acceptable
- The Dutch introduced the modern donut to North America as “olykoeks” (oil cakes)
Quiz
- Which donut company did William Rosenberg found?
- What organization made donuts popular in the US?
- What’s the geometric name for a donut shape?
-(Answers: 1. Dunkin’ Donuts, 2. Salvation Army, 3. Toroid)
FAQs
- Why do donuts have holes? To ensure even cooking and prevent raw centers
- Who invented the donut hole? Captain Hanson Crockett Gregory is credited with this innovation
- What’s the original name for donuts? The Dutch called them “olykoeks” or oil cakes
Related
- World Baking Day
- National Pastry Day
- International Food Workers Day
- Veterans Day
- World War I Remembrance Day
