Haven't you heard? It's National Donut Day!
Before we get to the good stuff (READ: the information on where you can score a free donut) we thought we'd start out with a brief history lesson on why we celebrate this scrumptious holiday.
National Donut Day was dreamed up during World War I when Salvation Army workers delivered coffee and donuts to soldiers, according to the Salvation Army website. The first official National Donut Day was celebrated during the Great Depression, as a way to fundraise for the organization.
Donuts were first made in Northern Europe during the Middle Ages and didn't come to the U.S. until the 1800s, according to Yahoo. The first American donuts had no holes! In fact, it would take about a half century for American donuts with holes to emerge.
The good news? Today, many donut retailers are giving away free donuts to celebrate the day. Here's where you can snag a free afternoon pick-me-up:
Stop by a Krispy Kreme to get one free donut, with no purchase necessary, according to the store's Facebook event page.
If you live in the Midwest, LaMar's Donuts is giving away free donuts.
Dunkin' Donuts is also taking part in the day's festivities, but their giveaway is not entirely free: you'll need to buy a drink in order to get your complimentary donut.
Shipley Do-Nuts, with locations in Texas and Missouri, is giving away free goodies at their participating locations.
According to the Tim Hortons Facebook page, customers who "like" their page will be given a coupon for a free donut with any purchase.
