Just in time for swimsuit season: Friday, June 3rd, is National Donut Day, and in honor of this sticky-sweet (although fattening) holiday, Dunkin' Donuts will be giving away free goods. In case you need an excuse to indulge, remember that the first day of summer is not until later in the month. And just one little donut never hurt...right? Dunkin' Donuts will give away a free donut of your choice with a hot beverage purchase while supplies last. Dunkin' Donuts is also encouraging people to RSVP on Facebook to help spread the word. True, this is a good advertising tactic, but National Donut Day (or National Doughnut Day--either spelling is acceptable) actually goes deeper than donut shops just trying to get your business.
Here's a bit of National Donut Day history: During World War I, female volunteers for the Salvation Army were sent to Europe to help boost the troops' morale with home-cooked goodies (because everyone knows that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach). These lovely ladies, called the "Doughnut Lassies," fried dough using minimal ingredients to give to the hungry men. The dough was often cooked inside metal helmets of some of the soldiers. Also, the American infantrymen were commonly called doughboys. The Lassies were the only women outside of military personnel allowed to visit the front lines. In 1938, the Salvation Army declared that the first Friday in June would be forevermore National Donut Day in honor of the Lassies' hard work and dedication.
Photo credit: dieraecherin from morguefile.com
So, there you have it: getting a free donut is not merely an indulgence. It is your patriotic duty, so go out and get one! Krispy Kreme is also giving their famous melt-in-your-mouth glazed donuts away (one per customer), and no purchase is necessary. Krispy Kreme donut shops are found more in the Southern and Midwestern states, and Dunkin' Donuts is more of an East Coast thing--but if you're lucky enough to live close to both, then you'll have a tough decision to make. What's your favorite donut spot?
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