Birthdays: Dr. Charles R. Drew (3rd, 1904; d. 1950); Ricky Gervais (25th, 1961)

  • Dr. Drew Day – African American Blood Donor Day – BE. Orlando recognizes the contributions of Dr. Charles R. Drew, the Father of the Blood Bank, on his birthday, June 3rd. .  Dr. Drew was an African American who, in 1940 was recruited to set up the first blood bank in America.  But as World War II began as blood donorship was just becoming possible, discrimination against African American blood donors became a major social justice issue. There are people still today, in 2017, who believe that blood from black donors is discarded.  Only 1% of US blood donors are African American, yet genetically similar blood is needed for those receiving repeated blood transfusions, as with sickle-cell anemia.  Minority blood donation remains a crucial blood donor issue with a complex history. This should be a national day of remembrance and blood donorship.
  • World Environment Day – First observed in 1973, it occurs on 5 June every year. It is the United Nation’s principal vehicle for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment.  Learn more 
  • World Oceans Day – a global day of ocean celebration and collaboration for a better future.  Learn more: worldoceansday.org
  • World Blood Donor Day – Hosted internationally on June 14th by the World Health Organization, WBDD encourages education about blood donorship and about regional challenges with donorship and blood supply management.  It encourages everyone to learn about their potential impact as donors and to donate blood on this day – and throughout the year.  Learn more: WHO WBDD Data and Resources (2016 WBDD)
  • Pulse Day of Remembrance – On June 12, 2016, in Orlando, FL, we experienced a tragic violent shooting impacting our Latino and LGBTQ+ communities. Each year we encourage members to donate blood in recognition that blood supply needs to be available before a tragedy and also in recognition of the discrimination against gay males by the FDA, which prevents them from donating blood.  In 2015 the regulations changed from a life to a 1-year deferral; however, requiring a gay man to practice a year of abstinence to donate blood is still a lifetime deferral.  We donate on behalf of those unable to donate in support of their own identity community after the tragedy and in honor of those impacted by the Pulse tragedy.
  • World Humanist Day – On June 21st, hosted by the International Humanist and Ethical Union, is an opportunity for humanists and humanist organizations to publicize the positive values of Humanism and to share the global concerns of the Humanist movement. Learn More: iheu.org/humanism/world-humanist-day/
  • LGBT Equality Day – On June 26th, three historic decisions regarding LGBT equality have been made by the Supreme Court of the United States:
    • in 2003, SCOTUS ruled that states could no longer criminalize the private intimate conduct of same-sex couples (Lawrence v. Texas)
    • in 2013, SCOTUS overturned Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA),  ruling that legally married same-sex couples deserve all of the rights, benefits and protections provided by marriage under federal law. (United States v. Windsor)
    • In 2015, SCOTUS ruled that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry. (bergefell v. Hodges)
  • Tau Day – Put up your dukes, math geeks – the debate on whether Tau should replace Pi rages on!  Tau is 2Π, and is celebrated on June 28th.
  • Stonewall Riots Remembrance – On June 28, 1969, the police raided a gay nightclub called the Stonewall Inn.  The raid sparked a riot and served as the catalyst for the gay rights movement.
  • Astroid Day –  held each year on the anniversary of the largest impact in recent history, the June 30th, 1908, Tunguska event in Siberia. Learn more about  Astroid Day.