that today is National Doughnut Day. Or National Donut Day.
Unlike a lot of holidays centered around commercial products, NDD was not a creation of the industry it celebrates. Rather, it was begun in 1938 by the Chicago Salvation Army, which sought both to raise funds to assist the poor during the ongoing Depression and to honor the work of the Doughnut Lassies who'd distributed coffee and doughnuts to soldiers during the Great War.
The event, while still used as a Salvation Army fundraiser, has--natch--also been adopted by doughnut shop chains as a promotional tool, which is actually good news for fans of the universe-shaped pastries, because today is the day when you can scarf free doughnuts!
Which is, of course, no novelty around these parts, as we often pass out the holey 'nuts gratis. But you probably don't want a free sample of that.
At any rate, as you enjoy the day and its torus-shaped treats, do keep in mind the higher meaning we celebrate today.