National Donut Day is observed on the first Friday of June, which is June 5 in 2026. Behind the sugary fun lies a genuinely moving history: the day was created to honor the Salvation Army’s “Donut Lassies,” volunteers who served fresh donuts to American soldiers on the front lines of World War I. What began as a Depression-era fundraiser has grown into one of the most popular food holidays of the year, with shops nationwide offering free and discounted donuts.
When is National Donut Day?
National Donut Day is a floating observance held on the first Friday of June. In 2026 that falls on June 5. Because it is tied to the first Friday rather than a fixed calendar date, it shifts slightly each year but always lands at the start of June. Note that the spelling varies, with both “donut” and “doughnut” widely used for the same day.
History and origin of National Donut Day
National Donut Day has one of the best-documented origins of any food holiday. During World War I, the Salvation Army sent volunteers, many of them women, to France in 1917 to support American troops near the front. Working out of makeshift huts, these volunteers offered soldiers a taste of home, and two of them, Ensign Margaret Sheldon and Adjutant Helen Purviance, are credited with improvising fried donuts, reportedly using soldiers’ helmets when proper equipment was scarce. The women became known as the “Donut Lassies,” and the treat was so beloved that returning soldiers, nicknamed “doughboys,” helped popularize donuts back home. In 1938, the Salvation Army established the first National Donut Day in Chicago as a fundraiser to support those in need during the Great Depression, and to honor the Lassies’ wartime service. The day has been observed ever since. The Donut Lassies are also widely credited with helping popularize the donut in the United States, since returning “doughboys” carried home a fondness for the treat they had been served near the front. What could have been a small, in-house commemoration therefore grew into one of the most recognized food holidays of the year.
Why National Donut Day matters
National Donut Day is a rare celebration that pairs indulgence with remembrance. It keeps alive the story of the Donut Lassies and the Salvation Army’s humanitarian work, both in wartime and during the hardship of the Depression. At the same time, it supports the Salvation Army’s ongoing charitable mission, since many observances are tied to fundraising and the organization uses the day to raise awareness of its year-round services. For everyone else, it is a joyful reason to enjoy a beloved treat while reflecting on the generosity that inspired the day. That blend of history, charity, and simple pleasure is exactly why the observance has endured for the better part of a century, and why so many bakeries and coffee shops now take part with free or discounted donuts.
How to celebrate National Donut Day
- Grab a donut from a local bakery or shop, many of which offer free or discounted treats.
- Bake or fry your own donuts at home and experiment with glazes and toppings.
- Donate to the Salvation Army to support its charitable work.
- Learn and share the story of the Donut Lassies.
- Bring a box of donuts to coworkers, neighbors, or first responders.
- Support a small, independent donut shop in your area.
- Share your donut online with the day’s hashtag.
Related days and observances
National Donut Day is one of several donut-themed dates, and it sits within the wider world of single-food holidays such as National Pizza Day, National Popcorn Day, and National Pancake Day. Its charitable roots also connect it to observances honoring military service and volunteerism.
Fun facts
The donut’s popularity in the United States owes a real debt to World War I, when returning “doughboys” brought home their fondness for the treat the Lassies had served them. And in a nod to that history, the Salvation Army’s fundraising tradition means that on National Donut Day, a simple donut can still support the same charitable mission that inspired the holiday nearly a century ago. It is one of the few food holidays where the treat and the cause are so tightly bound: every donut enjoyed on the first Friday of June carries an echo of the volunteers who fried them in wartime huts, making the day as much an act of remembrance as an indulgence.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is National Donut Day?
National Donut Day falls on the first Friday of June. In 2026 that is June 5. The date floats each year.
Who started National Donut Day?
The Salvation Army established it in Chicago in 1938 to honor its WWI "Donut Lassies" and to raise funds during the Great Depression.
Why do we celebrate National Donut Day?
To remember the Salvation Army volunteers who served donuts to soldiers in World War I and to celebrate the donut itself.
How do you celebrate National Donut Day?
Enjoy a donut (many shops give them away free or discounted), bake your own, and consider donating to the Salvation Army.
Is National Donut Day a public holiday?
No. It is an unofficial celebration, though it has a documented charitable origin.
What is the hashtag for National Donut Day?
The most common tags are #NationalDonutDay and #NationalDoughnutDay.