(CNN) — There’s a lot of happiness happening today (June 5). The first Friday in June is National Donut Day!
Started by the Salvation Army in Chicago in 1938, the day honors the group’s “donut lassies,” who served treats and provided assistance to soldiers on the front lines during World War I. (And this isn’t to be confused with National Doughnut Day, which is in November and celebrates the actual food.)
Doughnuts have been around since long before the First World War, and we have the Dutch to thank for them. The Dutch would make “olykoek,” which translates to oily cake. The first Dutch doughnuts didn’t have a hole, but they were fried in hot oil and the dough was sweet.
It wasn’t until 1847 that the holed-out doughnut we know and love today appeared. Hanson Gregory, 16 at the time, claimed credit. Sick of doughnuts with a raw center, he used a pepper pot to punch out holes to help his doughnuts cook more evenly.
By 1920, Adolph Levitt, a Russian living in New York, had invented a doughnut machine. Thirteen years later, doughnuts were proclaimed the “Hit Food of the Century of Progress” by the World’s Fair in Chicago.
In honor of National Donut Day 2015, a few chains will be giving free donuts to customers.
Dunkin’ Donuts
Just like last year, you can get a free donut with your coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts on National Donut Day. Customers who purchase any beverage get a free donut of their choice (excluding Croissant Donuts and Cheesecake Squares). The offer is valid June 5 at their locations worldwide while supplies last.
Krispy Kreme
We hope you’re hungry! Krispy Kreme is giving a free donut to Facebook friends. To get your sweet treat, just “like” Krispy Kreme’s official Facebook page. After you do so, the company will send you a coupon to get your free donut. Simply show the coupon at any participating Krispy Kreme location on June 5 to get your freebie.
