The month of June, the sixth month in the Gregorian calendar, was named (according to legend) for Juno, wife of Jupiter, the goddess of women and of marriage. If this is true, it is an appropriate name since June is a favored month for weddings. Some authorities, however, claim that the month was named for “Juniores”. the lower branch of the Roman senate or that it was associated with the consulate of Junius Brutus.
Many traditional events are associated with this month. Among the most famous are the great flower festivals of the world. June has long been commencement time, when young people are graduated from schools and colleges. It is also the month when the British celebrate the official, not the real, birthday of Queen Elizabeth in order to assure favorable weather for the public ceremonies. The most ancient of festivals are those associated with Midsummer Eve in northern countries where bonfires have added to the merrymaking and festivities from time immemorial.
The special flower for this month is the rose.
The gems are the moonstone, the pearl, and the alexandrite.
…from Gregory, Ruth W. Anniversaries and Holidays, Third Edition;. Chicago: American Library Association, 1975.
The solstice occurs around the 21st of the month, but it may occur on either the 20th or the 22nd. (June 20 in 2025). It is the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere and the winter solstice in the southern hemisphere.
Flag Day is on the 14th of the month.
Midsummer is celebrated in Sweden on the third Friday.
Father’s Day is celebrated in the United States on the June 15th this year.
June is also known as:
- Aquarium Month
- Candy Month
- Dairy Month
- Fight the Filthy Fly Month
- National Accordion Awareness Month
- National Adopt a Cat Month
- National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month
- National Iced Tea Month
- National Papaya Month
- Rose Month
- Turkey Lovers Month
Probably the best known “June” song is “June is Bustin’ Out All Over” from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel:
Six states attained statehood in June:
On the 1st of the month, Kentucky and Tennessee celebrate becoming states.
On the 15th is the anniversary of statehood for Arkansas.
On the 20th commemorates statehood for West Virginia
On June 21 for New Hampshire.
And on the 25th is Statehood Day for Virginia.