This is one of two annual food holidays celebrating the ring-shaped pastry. Doughnut Day occurs November 5 while Donut Day is observed the first Friday of June.

Doughnut is the original spelling of the word, dating back to the early 1800s and first attributed to Washington Irving’s A History of New York.

Donut is a more recent variant, first appearing as a contraction of the original and growing in use in the U.S. with the spread of the Dunkin’ Donuts restaurant chain.