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
- vavilugyjysi11 dayscool love doughnuts
zelitulolany11 daysI love doughnuts
adelegreen111 daysI love donuts they are so rainbow
ichau11 daysHey do you guys like mochi donuts?
cutiepie01811 daysBruh I love donutsssssss yesssalso this is also celebrated 2 days after my bday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!😊
jessielynn71311 dayshappy b-day!- ichau11 daysCool!
- rizygeviwuwi11 daysBROOOO I can't believe Americans eat 10 billion donuts a year. THEY are sooooooo big.
- ichau11 daysYeah just eat it
- jodokiryzoba12 daysBOSTON CREME ONLY
- nojovylo-17722280985312 daysChocolate is the best and NO ONE CAN TELL ME OTHERWISE
dragonfire851119 daysChocolate is awesome! Buuuut... PUMPKIN🎃 is my fav!
tarekezopyco6 daysChocolate is best better than anything
- ichau11 daysI like chocolate too
- rizygeviwuwi11 dayschocolate is literally the best flavor.
pysyzarodyte11 daysChocolate is the best no question.
sekycipodyse12 daysi love the boston cream!- jodokiryzoba12 daysGOOD
i_love_roblox1212 daysmy fanrite donot isn broen donot
