The Sweet Story Behind National Donut Day
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Need an excuse to eat a donut? Then you will be pleased to know that June 5, 2026, is National Donut Day. This sweet holiday is celebrated every year in the United States on the first Friday in June. It was created in 1938 by The Salvation Army to raise funds for those in need.
The Salvation Army’s connection to donuts began in 1917. During World War I, a group of female volunteers traveled to France to help American troops. To comfort the homesick soldiers, the women decided to use the simple ingredients available — flour, sugar, milk, and lard — to make donuts.
With no rolling pins or donut cutters, the volunteers had to get creative. They shaped the dough by hand and fried the donuts in a soldier’s helmet, seven at a time. Despite working late into the night, they only made about 150 donuts the first day and 300 the next. But the effort was worth it. The aroma of the fresh donuts brought much-needed cheer to the soldiers. They waited patiently for hours in cold and damp weather to obtain their treat.
Once fully equipped, the volunteers — later nicknamed the "Donut Lassies" — were making as many as 9,000 donuts a day. The sweet treat became a symbol of The Salvation Army’s efforts to lift the spirits of American troops. Donuts were also served to comfort soldiers during World War II (1939 — 1945) and the Vietnam War (1955 — 1975).
In 1938, the Chicago chapter of The Salvation Army held a fundraiser selling donuts made from the original WWI recipe. The goal was to help those struggling during the Great Depression. This was the longest and deepest economic downturn in US history. The event was so popular that it became an annual tradition, and National Donut Day was born.
Today, donut stores across the US celebrate the fun holiday. Krispy Kreme usually hands out one free donut to every customer who enters the store. Dunkin' Donuts does the same with the purchase of a beverage.
National Donut Day is not the only holiday for fans of the sweet treat. There is also National Jelly-Filled Donut Day on June 8, National Cream-Filled Donut Day on September 14, and National Donut Appreciation Day on November 5. With so many chances to celebrate, it is no surprise that Americans eat over 10 billion donuts each year.
Donuts are an American tradition, but similar treats can be found worldwide. India has jalebi, a spiral dessert soaked in syrup. In Tunisia, people enjoy honey-drizzled pastries called yoyos. Indonesia's donat kentang is a potato-based treat covered with powdered sugar. So, no matter where you live, there is always a way to celebrate this sweet holiday!
Resources: Salvationarmy.org, Wikipedia.org
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76 Comments
i_love_god9 daysI can't wait for donut day so I can go to Krispy kreme and get me one. :)
bellbell229 dayseveryone says it on their last say of school but i still have another week after that sadly. i do love donuts though.
zazysulowuhu9 dayswell I hope you have the best last week ever!!
pookiebear3729 daysdonut day is on my last day of school!!!!
ilovehenrydsaf19 dayscongragulations!!!!!- zazysulowuhu9 daysme toooo
vapybepykyru9 daysI love Doughnuts!!!
matthaldenjr4610 daysI can't wait for Doughnut Day!!!
tarekezopyco6 daysI want it every day
gabipyfasibe10 daysThis is making me want to eat a donut sooo bad!!
yeahhhhh10 daysThey are ok
dragonfire851119 daysok?! They're awesome and creamy and delicious😋😋
cimubekitiji10 daysI love this article about DONUTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!- dragonfire8511110 daysThis year it is celebrated on the LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!
yippeee4 daysmy last day is June 24- tarekezopyco6 daysNo no no it is way before that
pysyzarodyte11 daysWell who knew, they even made a donut day...why am I not surprised?
