National What Day?

It wasn’t my fault, honest. Nobody told me in time. I didn’t find out until after breakfast that today was National Doughnut Day. By then, it was too late. I had already eaten a bagel.

Apparently, National Doughnut Day is more than just a marketing tool dreamed up by the likes of Dunkin’ Donuts or Krispy Kreme. It’s actually a marketing tool dreamed up by the Salvation Army back in the 1930’s.

Okay, that’s not quite fair. The day honors the efforts of Salvation Army volunteers who started serving coffee and donuts to soldiers in France during WWI. Their Salvation Army Huts represented a lot more than just a doughnut. The respite they provided must have been a blessing, and the women who made and fried all those treats became known as “Doughnut Dollies.” During WWII, the most widespread sources for coffee and doughnuts—thanks to the work of the next generation of Doughnut Dollies—were the Red Cross canteens.

Now that I know all this, I’m even sorrier to have missed the chance to observe National Doughnut Day. Though I guess there is still lunch. And midafternoon snack. And supper.

Or I could look ahead. I have some rhubarb in the freezer, just in time for June 9, which is National Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Day. Or, to think more broadly—in more than one sense of the word—June is also Candy Month.

There’s a special day for just about anything you can think of, and a lot of things you can’t imagine anyone thinking of. Yesterday, for example, was Hot Air Balloon Day. June 10 is Ball Point Pen Day, and June 13 is Sewing Machine Day. And today is also Gardening Exercise Day—a good thing, given all those doughnuts.

For anyone wanting to keep track of these things, you might check out www.daysoftheyear.com. It could help you avoid glaring mistakes like observing National Doughnut Day with an inappropriate bagel.

But I have a plan to make amends. I’m marking my calendar now. Next February 9, I’m having a doughnut for breakfast. Maybe two, since I missed out this year. February 9 is National Bagel Day.