June 2012

Dominion employee Jim Parsons defines diversity as an "acceptance of differences." He took the photo at his chicken coop in Quiet Dell, West Virginia. "The squirrel has invaded the chicken coop to partake in their fair," Parsons said. "They seem undisturbed and have accepted his presence as if he was meant to be there. True acceptance of diversity."

June 1:

• Gawai Dayak (Malaysia) - Marks the traditional rice harvest.

June 6:

• D-Day (USA) – Commemorates the day in 1944 when U.S. troops landed on the beaches of Normandy, France, representing the beginning of the end of World War II.
• Dragon Boat Festival (China) - Honors the patriot poet Chu Yuan who drowned himself in the Milo River south of China in protest of the political injustice in 277 B.C.

June 8:

• Shavu'ot (Jewish) - Also known as the Festival of Weeks, Shavu'ot is the second of the three major festivals with both historical and agricultural significance (the other two are Passover and Sukkot). Shavu'ot commemorates the time when the first fruits were harvested and brought to the Temple. This is known as Hag ha-Bikkurim (the Festival of the First Fruits). Shavu'ot also celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, also known as Hag Matan Torateinu (the Festival of the Giving of Our Torah).

June 8-10:

• Red Earth Fair (Aboriginal, American) - Cultural Festival takes place in Oklahoma City for three days. 

June 11:

• King Kamehameha Day (Hawaii) - A national state holiday to honor the first ruler of the United Hawaiian Islands.

June 17:

• Father’s Day (USA) - Honors all fathers in the country. Louise Dodd of Spokane, Wash., began the tradition in 1909.
• Shab-e-Miraj (Islamic) - Commemorates the ascension of Muhammad. Continues until the next day's sunset.

June 19:

• Juneteenth (African American) - June 19, 1865, also known as National Freedom Day, is considered the official end of slavery in the United States. Slaves in Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas were not told about their freedom until this day, even though other Southern states had known since April 1863.

June 21:

• Aboriginal Day (Canada) - In 1996, the former Governor General of Canada, Romeo LeBlanc, proclaimed June 21 as National Aboriginal Day.

June 24:

• St. Jean Baptiste Day (French) - He is the patron saint of French-Canadians. It is a national holiday and there are parades, bonfires and fireworks to celebrate his birthday.
• Dia de San Juan (Puerto Rico) - Commemorates the island’s patron saint, St. John the Baptist. At midnight, people jump into the ocean backward three times to symbolize baptism, immersion and a new life.
• Inti Raymi (Peru) - Celebrated in Cusco, the second biggest festival in Latin America celebrates the winter solstice Incan Festival where the God of the Sun, Wiracocha, is honored.

June 27: 

• Multiculturalism Day (Canada) - This day acknowledges the contributions that various communities make to Canadian society and to celebrate the country’s richness and diversity.