June Brings Holidays Relating to Both Flags and Fathers

With June brings excitement for summer, the end of a school and several June holidays. The month of June has been named Dairy Month, Great Outdoor Month, National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month, National Rose Month and National Zoo Month among other things.

While there are no Federal holidays in the month of June, there are still other holidays that are celebrated during this sixth month of the year.

June holidays start with June 14th and Flag Day. It was first observed in 1889 in New York City. The holiday became official in 1893 and is considered the birthday of the flag itself. The day now brings a variety of patriotic celebrations including parades. The flag shows 50 stars to highlight each of the 50 states as well as 13 stripes for each of the original 13 colonies. The state of Pennsylvania is the only one that considers it a legal holiday.

Holidays in June also includes Father's Day celebrated the third Sunday of the month of June yearly. President Calvin Coolidge declared the name official in 1924.
Red roses are to be worn for a living father and white if a father is no longer living. This day typically holds barbecues and family get-togethers to show appreciation to the fathers in one's life.

Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19 and is known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day. This day honored African American culture and celebrates the ending of slavery in 1865. Nearly 32 U.S. states recognize it as a state holiday.

The next June holiday is the Summer Solstice on June 21. This holiday or observance is celebrated in the Northern Hempishere. This is the Winter Solstice for the Southern Hempishere. This Solstice is a shift of weather causing warmer temperatures in the North and colder temperatures in the South.

While these are the more traditional June holidays, there are a variety of other more fun celebrations during the month of June. Some of them include Graduation Day. Many high schools, middle schoolers and even kindergarten celebrate a graduation during the Month of June. Ultimately, the month of June is one of full of anticipation for warm weather, summers off and days on the beach. With this excitement comes special celebrations for part of our country's history, a symbol of our freedom as well as for fathers nationwide.