Are you ready to indulge in some delicious donuts from your favorite local joints, whether it be Krispy Kreme, Dunkin’, or any other bakery?
There are several varieties of donuts beyond the traditional ones, including twist donuts, fritters, and filled donuts, which come in numerous flavors such as raspberry, Devil Dog, and glazed fruit. Donuts are a deep-fried delicacy that puts a smile on everyone’s face, and today we celebrate this wonderful treat and its history.
History of National Donut Day
National Donut Day has a special significance that dates back to the events of World War I. During the war, a doctor in the military sought to brighten the day of the wounded soldiers he worked on. On his first day at the military base, he purchased 8 dozen doughnuts and gave one to each soldier he worked on. After giving one to Lieutenant General Samuel Geary, who received it with great mirth and appreciation for the doctor’s work, Samuel decided to start a fundraiser, allowing the young doctor, Morgan Pett, to continue providing doughnuts to his patients.
This fundraiser began working together with the Salvation Army, who sent 250 volunteers to France to create social centers that would provide all kinds of amenities, including doughnuts. These huts became a staple of military life, with up to 300 doughnuts and 700 cups of coffee being served daily. Due to the majority of the workers being female, the Salvation Army workers started to be known as “Doughnut Dollies.”
Back at home, in honor of the work that had been created for the brave soldiers on the front line, people used ‘National Donut Day’ to raise awareness about the war and to raise funds for the Salvation Army. This tradition to raise money for the organization still happens today.
History of the Doughnut
The history of the doughnut itself is not entirely clear, although their iconic look started to appear in the United States in the mid-19th century. Rumor has it that Elizabeth Gregory, a New England ship captain’s mother, made a deep-fried dough treat to feed her son Hanson Gregory and his crew. She made them as they could easily be stored onboard, and it was thought that the goodies she produced could help ward off colds and the prospect of scurvy. Elizabeth put walnuts in the center where the dough couldn’t cook through, and she named them doughnuts.
The origin of the hole, or so legend says, is when Harrison, out of a distaste for the undercooked centers and greasiness of the existing shapes and options, punched a hole in the center with a tin pepper box. And voila, the traditional shape of the dessert you crave and love today was born. Allegedly.
How To Celebrate National Donut Day
You can celebrate National Donut Day by purchasing a box of your favorite donuts, volunteering your time or donating money to a charitable group that works with our armed forces, or by learning how to create your own doughnuts and selling them to the people who live around you. You could also create doughnuts for any members of ex-members of the Forces within your friends and family and serve them up a tasty treat.
So, think about what you could do this National Donut Day. Whether you eat them, share them, or use them as a means to do good in the world, celebrate this day in your own particular style.