June is loaded with graduations and weddings, and heralds the beginning of summer. For us in Florida, June begins the Atlantic hurricane season, running from June 1 through November 30. Enjoy your holidays, but be prepared!
June is also the month to remember some historic events…
June 6, we remember D-Day and WWII. On this historic day in 1944, which was 82 years ago, Allied troops invaded the beaches of Normandy, France. It was the largest amphibious assault in world history. This massive battle was the turning point of the war in the European theater. 156,000 troops from the United States, Great Britain and Canada stormed five beaches. American troops landed on Omaha and Utah beach. At the same time, British troops landed on Gold and Sword beach. And, Canadian forces landed on Juno Beach. 4,000 Allied troops died on these beaches on D-Day, 2,000 of them were American. Take a moment of silence today, and remember the many soldiers who fought and died for our country on D-Day.
June 10, 1652 – In Massachusetts, silversmith John Hull opened the first mint in America, in defiance of English colonial law. The first coin issued was the Pine Tree Shilling, designed by Hull.
June 13, 1971 – The New York Times began publishing the Pentagon Papers, a collection of top-secret documents exposing U.S. strategy in the Vietnam War.
June 14 isFlag Day.
Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. The United States Army also celebrates this date for Congress adopting the American Continental Army on June 14, 1775.
June 15, 1215 – King John set his seal to Magna Carta, the first charter of British liberties, guaranteeing basic rights that have since become the foundation of modern democracies around the world.
June 19, 1865 – In Galveston, Texas, upon the arrival of Union troops, Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger read General Order No. 3: “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, all slaves are free…” As a result, an estimated 250,000 enslaved African Americans in Texas were finally freed. The day is now celebrated as Juneteenth to commemorate Emancipation and to recognize the struggle for freedom and equality of African Americans. This date was officially recognized as Juneteenth National Independence Day, signed into law by President Joe Biden on June 17, 2021, making it a national holiday.
June 21 is Father’s Day.
The third Sunday in June is set aside to honor your father, stepfather and other men who accept the role to support, care and set the standards in our lives. The first Father’s Day celebration was in Spokane, Washington, on May 18, 1910.
June 21 marks the Summer Solstice.
The longest day of the year, the summer solstice is the moment in time when the earth’s tilt towards the sun is at its maximum and the sun reaches its highest position in the sky. This date varies between June 20 and June 22, depending on the year and time zone. The summer solstice occurs twice a year, once in June in the Northern Hemisphere and once in December in the Southern Hemisphere.
So, we welcome summer, honor our fathers, nation and flag. In Florida, most weekends, you can find some kind of festival celebrating our unique culture and climate. Here are a couple of road trips for you:
June 13 – Truman’s Tropical Fruit Festival,Key West
This juicy free event offers a taste of many types of mangoes and other tropical fruits, a tasty cocktail (for purchase), cooking demos and fruit trees you can purchase to take home. Held on the grounds of the Harry S. Truman Little White House, 111 Front St., Key West. Hours are 9 a.m. to noon. For information, go to http://www.trumanlittlewhitehouse.org.
June 14 – Waterlily Celebration, Vero Beach
In June, the waterlilies are in full bloom and McKee Botanical Garden, an unusual historic garden in Vero Beach that was once a popular roadside attraction. For the Water Lily Celebration, the gardens open at 8:30 a.m. so you can see night-blooming varieties before they close their petals. The gardens, a little-known gem worth discovering, recently opened an innovative children’s garden. For information, go to http://www.indianriverchamber.com.
