June

June is the sixth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar. It has 30 days. The name derives from Iunius, the Latin term linked to Juno, the Roman goddess associated with marriage and the well-being of women.

In the Northern Hemisphere, June marks the beginning of summer, while in the Southern Hemisphere it signals the start of winter. The month often brings longer days and increasing warmth in many regions, though climate varies by locale.

Astronomically, June features the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, which occurs on June 20–22 (typically June 21). This day has the longest period of daylight of the year there. In the Southern Hemisphere, the corresponding solstice occurs in December. The Sun usually transitions from the zodiac sign Gemini to Cancer during the month.

Notable observances in June include Juneteenth on June 19 in the United States, commemorating emancipation and African American history. Pride Month is observed in many countries throughout June. In many European cultures, midsummer celebrations occur around the solstice, with St. John’s Day on June 24 being marked in several regions.

Tagging and calendars aside, June often serves as a cultural and seasonal bridge between spring and summer in the north and between autumn and winter in the south, encompassing a range of weather, holidays, and traditions across different countries.