Celebrate National Doughnut Day Today with Your Free Donut

Today, Friday, is National Doughnut Day, also known as National Donut Day, in the United States. The holiday was established in 1938 to honor the “lassies” of the Salvation Army who served doughnuts to soldiers during the First World War.

To celebrate, many U.S. doughnut shops offer their customers free doughnuts.

The doughnut itself – a fried dough confection – comes in many shapes and sizes, although the two most common are the ring donut and the filled donut.

Doughnuts trace their origins back to the olykoek that Dutch settlers brought with them to New Amsterdam before it became New York. The first cookbook to mention them was published in 1803.

Doughnuts continue to be a pop-culture staple, with prominent guest appearances in films and television shows. There’s even a show, “Superior Donuts,” set in a doughnut shop. And what would police departments across the nation do without them?

Here’s where to get your free doughnuts today:

Cumberland Farms is giving away a free doughnut with any beverage until 10 a.m.

Dunkin’ Donuts will give customers a free classic doughnut with any beverage purchase.

Entenmann’s is holding a contest to name someone Chief Donut Officer through June 30.

Krispy Kreme will give customers a free doughnut, no purchase required.

Tim Horton’s is offering customers at five unspecified locations in Buffalo, N.Y.; Columbus, Ohio; and Detroit, Michigan the opportunity to win free donut holes for an entire year and a box of honey-dipped 24k gold-covered Timbits. The first person to ask for “Gold TImbits” at each store wins the prize.

At LaMar’s Donuts, all customers will get a free doughnut, no purchase required.

Finally, Wawa will give Wawa Rewards members a free bonus doughnut with the purchase of a specialty beverage.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)