November 5 is one of the two National Doughnut days celebrated by doughnut lovers throughout the world. In fact, 10 billion donuts are made over the course of a year in the United States to fill the orders of doughnut fanatics.The date of the other National Doughnut Day is June 1. National Doughnut Day  was created by the Salvation Army in Chicago in 1938 to honor those of their members who served doughnuts to soldiers during World War I.

The earliest known recorded usage of the term “doughnut” was in an 1808 short story describing “fire-cakes and dough-nuts”. However, there are many theories of where the term doughnuts came from. Records show that the Dutch were making olykoeks, or “oil cakes,” as early as the mid 19th century. These early doughnuts were simply balls of cake fried in pork fat until obtaining a golden-brown color. The cakes were sometimes filled with fruits, nuts or other fillings that did not require cooking because the center of the cake did not cook as fast as the outside.

The origin of the name is highly debated. Many say that the term “doughnuts” refers to the nuts that are filled inside the ball of dough to prevent the uncooked center. Others also claim that it refers to “dough knots”, another popular shape for the olykoeks.

Although there are two days for National Doughnut Day, the commonly celebrated date is the first friday of June. Many popular donut shops such as Dunkin’ Donuts and Krispy Kreme celebrate National Doughnut Day by holding special events or offering great deals. Dunkin’ Donuts locations across the nation offer a free donut with the purchase of any drink all day long on the holiday. Meanwhile, Krispy Kreme will give you a free donut with or without a purchase. Plenty of other doughnut shops will grant deals on National Doughnut Day and hold sweepstakes where you can win prizes.

If you are a doughnut lover, or if you enjoy consuming doughnuts, “donut” hesitate to celebrate National Doughnut Day.