National Doughnut Day
June 5, 2026
Each year on the first Friday in June, people participate in National Doughnut or Donut Day, celebrating the doughnut and honoring the Salvation Army Lassies. The Salvation Army Lassies are the women who served doughnuts to soldiers during WWI.
#NationalDoughnutDay
In 1917, the original “Salvation Army Doughnut” was first served by the ladies of the Salvation Army. It was during WWI that the Salvation Army Lassies went to the front lines of Europe. Home-cooked foods, provided by these brave volunteers, were a morale boost to the troops.
The doughnuts were often cooked in oil inside the metal helmets of American soldiers. American infantrymen were then commonly called “doughboys.” A more standard spelling of the word is “donut.”
On this day, many bakeries and coffee shops in the United States offer doughnut deals to their customers.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL DOUGHNUT DAY
Celebrate the day by enjoying your favorite doughnut. There are many varieties of doughnuts to choose from, too! Whether you prefer glazed or creme-filled, holes, or any number of deliciously made doughnuts, get out there and support your local bakeries. Pick up a dozen to deliver to first responders, a nursing station, or your favorite charity. Use #NationalDonutDay or #NationalDoughnutDay when using social media.
