National Donut Day2026 · Date · History · Messages
The Salvation Army states that it created the first National Donut Day event in Chicago in 1938 as a fundraiser during the Great Depression and to honor the World War I Donut Lassies; it continues to place the observance on the first Friday in June.
About National Donut Day
National Donut Day is observed on the first Friday in June in the United States and is closely associated with The Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army says it created the first National Donut Day event in Chicago in 1938 as a fundraiser during the Great Depression and to honor the World War I Donut Lassies.
Why National Donut Day matters
The observance combines a food tradition with remembrance of Salvation Army volunteers who served soldiers during World War I and with the organization’s later social-service fundraising history.
Enjoying a donut is optional; participation can also mean learning the history, volunteering or supporting a local service organization.
History of National Donut Day
In 1917, Salvation Army volunteers serving near the front lines in France provided supplies, baked goods and other support to U.S. soldiers.
The Salvation Army identifies Ensign Margaret Sheldon and Adjutant Helen Purviance among the volunteers who began frying donuts under difficult field conditions.
The organization says the first National Donut Day was celebrated in Chicago in 1938 during the Great Depression.
The 1938 observance was created as a fundraiser and as a way to honor the service of the Donut Lassies.
The Salvation Army continues to describe National Donut Day as occurring annually on the first Friday in June.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Salvation Army Donut Lassies wartime service
The wartime donut-service history was later commemorated by the 1938 National Donut Day observance.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army states that it created the first Donut Day event in Chicago in 1938.
The Salvation Army
The creator’s first-party history identifies the organization as establishing the observance.
First documented observance
The Salvation Army identifies Chicago in 1938 as the first National Donut Day event.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army continues to publish and organize National Donut Day material and current annual events.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
5 fields not established in reviewed sources
Predecessor and precursor observances
Earlier or merged observances are kept separate from former names and later institutional actions.
How to Observe National Donut Day
Learn about the Donut Lassies and the distinction between the 1917 wartime history and the 1938 creation of National Donut Day.
Support a local Salvation Army or another service organization if you want to connect the day with community assistance.
If sharing donuts, check allergy and dietary needs, handle food safely and supervise young children where choking risks apply.
Try a recipe only if the kitchen setup is safe; use caution around hot oil, sharp tools and heat, especially with children.
Enjoy the food without framing participation around guilt, body size or health claims.
National Donut Day Facts
National Donut Day is observed on the first Friday in June.
The Salvation Army says the first National Donut Day event was held in Chicago in 1938.
The 1938 event was connected to fundraising during the Great Depression and remembrance of the Donut Lassies.
Salvation Army volunteers served soldiers in France during World War I beginning in 1917.
The wartime donut service predates the recurring National Donut Day observance and should be treated as a precursor history, not as the first observance itself.
National Donut Day Messages
Happy National Donut Day—enjoy the tradition in whatever way works for you.
Wishing everyone a sweet first Friday in June and a thoughtful look at the Donut Lassies’ history.
Happy National Donut Day to those celebrating with a treat, a history lesson or community service.
May National Donut Day bring a little joy and a reminder of the service story behind the observance.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
The Salvation Army — Celebrate Donut Day (opens in a new tab)
Creator First Party
The Salvation Army — Midland National Donut Day history (opens in a new tab)
Creator First Party
The Salvation Army — National Donut Day (opens in a new tab)
Creator First Party
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is National Donut Day?
First Friday in June; 5 June 2026 The documented recurrence rule is: First Friday in June.
Does National Donut Day fall on the same date every year?
It follows a recurring calendar rule, so the Gregorian date can change from year to year.
Is National Donut Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: United States / Salvation Army-origin observance. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes National Donut Day?
The reviewed sources identify The Salvation Army as the proclaiming or establishing body. Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as The Salvation Army.
Is National Donut Day international or country-specific?
This observance is specific to United States. Its fuller verified scope is: United States / Salvation Army-origin observance.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-23.
When is National Donut Day?
It is observed on the first Friday in June.
Who created National Donut Day?
The Salvation Army says it created the first Donut Day event in Chicago in 1938.
Why are the Donut Lassies part of the history?
Salvation Army officers and volunteers served donuts and other support to U.S. soldiers in France during World War I; the 1938 observance honored that service.
Was National Donut Day first celebrated during World War I?
No. The donut-service history dates to 1917, while The Salvation Army identifies 1938 as the first National Donut Day event.
Do I need to eat a donut to participate?
No. You can learn the history, volunteer, donate or simply acknowledge the service story; food participation is optional.
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