Hanson Gregory claimed to have invented the ring-shaped doughnut in 1847 aboard a lime-trading ship when he was 16 years old. He claimed to have punched a hole in the center of dough with the ship's tin pepper box. [Wikipedia]
For just 1 day every year, some major cities around the world (including the USA) makes it legal to let freedom ring. 50 photos here of the WNBR in London.