Check Out These National Holidays

At the beginning of June Summer stretches out before you a blank slate just waiting to be filled with fun and merriment. Fortunately, there are many different holidays in June that just beg to be celebrated.

You’re probably aware of several major holidays in June like Father’s Day and Flag Day but did you also know that June is national Adopt a Cat Month or Aquarium Month? Or that the month is full of quirky national (and international) days? Add these to your list of celebrations this month and you’ll have the best June ever.

Have kids? How about a teenager who has started to have Kids body odor and a not so nice mouth? If you can’t remember the last time you heard (or gave) a compliment, kick off the month the right way with National Say Something Nice Day. Started by South Carolina’s Mayor in 2006, this is definitely a day that we should celebrate year-round but it’s also a great way to motivate your kids to think of nice things to say to friends, family and all the people they meet. Challenge them and yourself to say something nice every day this month.

As if encouraging kindness was not sweet enough, the First Friday in June is National Doughnut Day. Celebrate by making your own or visit your favorite local doughnut shop. Last year doughnut giants like Krispy Kreme and Dunkin’ Donuts celebrated by giving away free doughnuts so check your local paper to see what great deals you can find to help you celebrate.

National Doughnut Day is followed by National Trails Day on the First Saturday in June, which is good because you may need to burn a few extra calories after your National Doughnut Day indulgence. Visit the American Hiking Society (https://americanhiking.org/national-trails-day/) website to find an event in your area or to join the pledge to leave a trail better than you found it. In honor of the 50^th anniversary of the National Trail System, the American Hiking Society is encouraging hikers everywhere to pledge to pick up trash on a trail, join a trail work project or clean up a park.

Hug Your Cat Day on June 4 might be hard to accomplish if you don’t have a cat and might even be hard if you do have one, depending on its mood. But go ahead and give it a try who knows, maybe your cat will hug you back.

On June 6, 1944, the Allied forces fighting in World War II invaded Western Europe in the largest amphibious attack in history resulting in the Allied liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany’s control. Encourage your child to learn a little bit more about this chapter in world history and to remember and thank all the service people who have fought and died for our freedom.

June 6 is also National Drive-In Movie Day in commemoration of the first drive-in movie theater which opening on this date in 1933 in Camden, New Jersey. Once a mainstay of summer activities, drive-in movie theatres might be more difficult to find these days, but you can create your own outside with a wall, white sheet and outdoor projector. Spread some blankets out on the ground and hand out bags of popcorn. If you have really young children, you can always encourage them to drive their Little Tykes cars to the showing.

Best Friends get their very own day on June 8 which also happens to be World Ocean Day. If you’re lucky enough to live by the beach, you could celebrate both but for those landlocked friends there are still plenty of ways to celebrate. Visit the World Oceans Day website (http://www.worldoceansday.org) to find an event near you or take your best friend to a local aquarium.

Grab your camera or cell phone on June 15 and head outdoors for National Nature Photography Day. The North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) created the day in 2006 as a way to encourage people to learn how to and enjoy capturing the beauty of nature through their cameras. NANPA even sponsor a photography contest for professional and amateur nature photographers in honor of the day. For more information and to see last year’s winner, visit their website. (http://www.nanpa.org)

After honing your nature photography skills, you can try your hand at taking pictures of people on International Picnic Day. Pack a basket full of your favourite lunch and treats, invite some friends and head out to enjoy a picnic on June 18.

June 20 brings another great excuse to get outside because how else would you celebrate American Eagle or National Bald Eagle Day? The Bald Eagle was selected as the nation’s emblem by our founding fathers on June 20, 1782, as a symbol of freedom, courage, strength, spirit and excellence. While it might be difficult to find a bald eagle in the wild where you live, you could visit a zoo or watch a Nat Geo Wild or Nature documentary on these majestic birds.

Surprisingly you are free to celebrate your holiday. Take your kids or teens for shopping and appreciate them getting natural deodorant for boys or gluten free deodorant.

You know your child will want to celebrate National Selfie Day on June 21.

On June 30 head to your closest natural history or science museum to celebrate Meteor Day or check with your local university to see if they have a telescope open for public viewing. You can find information about the night sky and what you’ll be able to see on several different websites including American Meteor Society (https://www.amsmeteors.org/home.html) and EarthSky (http://earthsky.org).

No matter what or how you celebrate June this year, have fun and don’t forget to enjoy the first official day of summer on June 21.