24 Fun Facts About June That Will Blow Your Mind (2024 Facts)
1. The name June is derived from the Latin word Juno.
Juno (Luno) or Lunius is a Latin word that means “youth” or “younger person.”
It refers to the Roman goddess. French is where the J sound for the letter I in Latin’s Luno first appears; the J spelling didn’t take hold in English until the late 1600s.
2. There are multiple theories related to the naming of the month of June.
Romans considered Juno to be a deity who was the protector of their lives at critical moments and a defender of all women.
Roman poet Ovid writes that June got its name in honor of Juno, who was the wife and sister of Chief Go, Jupiter.
3. Sera Monath is the name for June in Anglo-Saxon.
The Anglo-Saxons referred to June as Sera Monath, which means “dry month.”
It is true that June is one of the hottest months of the year in most parts of the world. So, calling it a “dry month” is a fair deal.
4. June used to be the fourth month of the Gregorian calendar.
During ancient Roman times, June was the 4th month of the year when there were only ten months in a year.
It had twenty-nine days until Julian’s reform of the calendar added a day and changed the month after Iunius was called Iulius (July) in honor of Julius Caesar.
5. The longest, as well as the shortest day, comes in the month of June.
The two solstices occur in June and December. The June solstice has the shortest daylight hour south of the equator and the longest day north.
The June solstice occurs on the 21st of June. The sun is directly above the Tropic of Cancer in the northern hemisphere. The greater the distance from the equator, the greater the effect.
6. June’s birthstones are Moonstone, Pearl, and Alexandrite.
People born in June, often referred to as their birth month, are fortunate enough to have three beautiful gems to choose from: pearls, alexandrite, and moonstone.
With so many options, one can choose a birthstone matching their budget and personal style. June makes it all the more special for those celebrating their birthdays during this time.
7. June 21st is the first summer day in the Western Hemisphere.
The official beginning of the summer month, according to the astronomy calendar, starts on the 21st of June.
The Northern Hemisphere receives the most direct sunshine during our astronomical summer because of the Earth’s tilt, which is about 23.5 degrees off a vertical axis.
This is also the longest day in the northern hemisphere.
8. People born in June have two Zodiac signs.
Gemini (May 21–June 20) or Cancer (June 1–June 20) signify a baby’s birth sign in June (June 21 – July 22).
Babies who have Gemini as their astrological sign are very sharp and inquisitive. On the other hand, Cancer babies have the traits of compassion and are supportive in nature.
9. Till 15th June, ancient Romans considered an ill omen for marriage.
Romans used to avoid their marriage from mid-May to mid-June because that period was considered an ill-omen.
It is said that the famous Roman poet Ovid took the opinion from the oracle of Jupiter for his daughter’s marriage, who told him to wait until the 15th of June.
10. LGBTQ + Pride Day is celebrated in June in the USA.
In the USA, June is celebrated as LGBTQ+ Pride Month, a special time when people unite to recognize and embrace love in all its forms.
It’s a month filled with colorful parades, events, and festivities promoting understanding, acceptance, and equality for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
11. Did you know that June is National Smile Month in the UK?
Under the umbrella of the Oral Health Foundation, one of the prominent and longest-running campaigns, National Smile Month, is organized in the United Kingdom to bring awareness about good oral hygiene.
The campaign focuses on brushing teeth, less sugar consumption, and other dental issues.
12. The Wimbledon tournament is organized in June.
The Wimbledon championship tournament is held in the UK during the last weeks of June and early days of July.
The tournament is the world’s oldest tennis competition and is usually recognized as one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world. It has been played on outdoor grass courts since 1877.
13. Lionel Messi is born in the month of June.
Arguably the greatest player of all time in the world of soccer, Lionel Messi is among those celebrities born in June.
Other Historical figures born in June are Marilyn Monroe, Angelina Jolie, Liam Neeson, Ariana Grande, Mike Tyson, Camila Mendes, and Kanye West.
14. International Children’s Day is celebrated on the 1st of June in communist and post-communist countries.
Children’s Day was observed during the World Conference on Child Welfare in 1925, which took place in Geneva for the first time.
However, Children’s Day is observed on 20th November to commemorate the declaration of children’s rights by the UN General Assembly on 20th November 1959.
15. National Flag Day of the US is on the 14th of June.
On 14th June 1777, during the Second Continental Congress, the US officially adopted the Stripes and Stars on the US flag.
It was not until 1877, a century after the original resolution, that the first national observance of American Flag Day took place. From then on, US citizens celebrate Flag Day on June 14 every year.
16. National Iced Tea Day in the US is on 10th June.
Tea is among the widely used beverages. But it was not until 1904, in the perfect month for hot summers, during a blazing summer day, that visitors attended the World Fair at St. Louis. Merchant Richard Blechynden seized that opportunity by introducing chilled tea drinks as a cold refreshment.
Since then, on June 10, people have drunk iced tea.
17. The Strawberry Moon: The year’s first Supermoon is on June 14.
The full moon of June is known as the strawberry moon.
In 2022, the strawberry moon appeared on the 14th of June. The June full moon was given this wonderful name by the Algonquin tribes of what is now the North-Eastern United States in the 1930s; modern civilizations have subsequently inherited the term.
18. June’s birth flowers are Honeysuckle and Rose.
It is said that the Romans were the first people to celebrate their birthdays with seasonal flowers. With time, the flower selections are believed to have become more month-specific throughout time.
For June, the rose is the most popular birth flower. However, honeysuckle is also associated.
19. June 5 is World Environment Day.
Celebrating Environment Day aims to bring awareness about the clean environment.
Moreover, the United Nations designated this day to counter environmental issues like air pollution, global warming, land pollution, water pollution, deforestation, and animal trafficking through public outreach as more than 143 countries partake yearly.
20. Juneteenth is Emancipation Day or Freedom Day in the USA.
On June 19, there is a federal holiday across the USA to commemorate the abolition of slavery. President of the US, Abraham Lincoln, issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which freed 3.5 million slaves.
It would be over two years before African Americans in Texas heard that news.
21. Father’s Day is celebrated on 19th June 2022.
The USA honors fatherhood by celebrating Father’s Day on the third Sunday of June.
The essence is to thank fathers and father figures (grandfathers, uncles) for their dedication to their families, selflessness in rearing their offspring, and willingness to make sacrifices to provide a better future for their children.
22. National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada is on June 21.
This occasion provides an opportunity to discover and promote the exceptional contributions, distinctive heritage, and rich culture of First Nation, Inuit, and Métis peoples. Despite many similarities, these groups have their own customs, languages, histories, and beliefs.
The population of these Aboriginal people is around 1.7 million
23. The longest day of the year falls on June 20th.
The longest day of the year, the summer solstice falls on June 20, however, because the previous Julian calendar noted it differently, Midsummer Day is still celebrated on June 24.
It all started in the Stone Age as a ritual by the pagans for good crops and fertility.
24. June has its own beetle named after it.
June beetle is the common name for scarab beetles, which emerge in June in regions of North America where the weather is temperate.
Although people don’t like them, they play a crucial role in the food supply cycle. Normally, the June beetle feeds on shrubs and plant roots.
FAQs
June is the sixth month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars and the second to last month in the Northern Hemisphere. It is also the shortest month of the year.
June was named after Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage and childbirth. She was known for her ability to bring couples together and help them conceive children.
The June birthstone is pearl. The milky white orbs are stunning on their own or as accents in jewelry. Pearls have been sought after for centuries and were once only affordable by the very wealthy.
The June flowers are rose and honeysuckle. The roses are a deep red, while the honeysuckles are a light yellow. Both of these flowers are incredibly fragrant and can often be found growing together in gardens.
The astrological sign for June is Gemini. Gemini is one of the twelve zodiac signs and is symbolized by twins. This sign is associated with communication, duality, and adaptability.
