By Sheri Selway and Chrissy Chrzan

June is a jamboree of events. It’s a mosaic of heritage, pride and remembrance, including National Indigenous History Month, Italian Heritage Month, Filipino Heritage Month, Portuguese Heritage Month, and Pride Month.

Pride Month is celebrated in June each year in remembrance of the Stonewall Riots which began in June 1969 after police raided the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, New York City.  The next year, the first Gay Pride parades took place in several cities in the United States.  In Canada, the first Pride demonstrations took place in 1971 in Vancouver and Ottawa and is now celebrated in many cities.

  • June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day
  • June 23 is National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism
  • June 24 is Sainte-Jean-Baptiste Day
  • June 27 is Canada Multiculturism Day

The United Nations also commemorates many Special Days in June. To name a few – June 1 is the Global Day of Parents, June 3 World Bicycle Day, June 5 World Environment Day, June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, June 21 is International Day of Yoga, and June 30 is World Asteroid Day!

There are many Health Promotion and Awareness Days in June as well.  This is the month to learn more about ALS, Brain Injury, Men’s Health, Cataracts, CMV, and Migraines.  It is also Parks and Recreation Month. June 4 is National Health and Fitness Day, and many other days are recognized in June.  For more information go to  Calendar of health promotion days – Canada.ca

Historic Moments in June:

  • June 6, 1872 – Susan B. Anthony was fined for voting in a U.S. presidential election.
  • June 12, 1898 – The Philippines declared independence from Spain.
  • June 26, 1945 – The United Nations Charter was signed by 50 nations, including Canada.
  • June 1, 1919 – “Bloody Saturday” during the Winnipeg General Strike.
  • June 20, 1945 – The first “baby bonus” cheques were issued.
  • June 27, 1980 – “O Canada” was officially adopted as the national anthem.
  • June 30, 1948 – The Income Tax Act was enacted, taking effect in 1949.
  • June 1875 – Alexander Graham Bell’s first telephone demonstration in Boston.
  • 1881 – The first public phone line in Canada was installed right here in Hamilton!