June 4 National Days

June 4 is the 155th day of the year (156th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, leaving 210 days until the end of the year. Today’s observances highlight themes of safety, sustainability, running, and recognition—from gun safety and assistive tech to old maids and audacious hope.

Some holidays—like Global Running Day, National Tailors Day, and National SAFE Day—fall on a different weekday each year, while most are fixed on June 4.

Here’s a full overview of the 13 national and international days celebrated on June 4.

National and International Days on June 4

Audacity to Hope Day: Encourages people to embrace optimism, perseverance, and personal growth. Celebrated annually on June 4, the day is dedicated to overcoming hardship with courage and faith in the future. It also serves as a reminder of collective struggles for human rights and positive change throughout history. Many use this day to reflect on victories—both personal and societal—that came from holding onto hope.

Global Running Day / National Running Day* (First Wednesday in June): This day was founded in 2009 as National Running Day and rebranded in 2016 as Global Running Day, led by New York Road Runners. It encourages people of all ages and fitness levels to lace up and enjoy the physical and mental benefits of running. With participants from over 170 countries, it’s become an international call to action to make movement part of everyday life.

🏃 Similar observances include National Walking Day (April 3) and National Take a Hike Day (November 17).

International Corgi Day: Created by the Omaha Corgi Crew in 2011 and is celebrated on June 4 to honor the cheerful, short-legged breed known for its big personality. The day also raises awareness for rescue efforts and helps support corgi adoption initiatives. From meetups to fundraisers, corgi lovers around the world use the day to show appreciation for their furry companions.

🐶 A related observance National Dog Day is celebrated on August 26th. See also our complete list of national days dedicated to dogs and their owners.

International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression: Established by the United Nations on August 19, 1982. The day originally focused on the child victims of conflict in the Middle East, particularly during the Lebanon War, but has since expanded to acknowledge children affected by all forms of aggression worldwide. It brings attention to the violence children endure in war zones and underlines the UN’s commitment to protecting children’s rights.

National Cheese Day: Gives food lovers a reason to explore and enjoy the wide variety of cheeses made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk. From aged Parmesan to creamy Brie, cheese lovers can celebrate the science and art behind cheese making.

🧀 A related celebration, National Cheese Lover’s Day, takes place on January 20.

National Clean Beauty Day: Started by the clean haircare brand FEKKAI and is observed on June 4 to promote sustainable, non-toxic beauty products. The day raises awareness about environmentally friendly packaging, ethical ingredient sourcing, and consumer education. Supporters are encouraged to advocate for cleaner personal care practices and shop from companies committed to sustainability.

National Cognac Day: Pays tribute to the famous French brandy named after the town of Cognac in western France. Held every June 4, it highlights the craftsmanship and strict production standards behind this double-distilled spirit, which must age in French oak barrels for at least two years.

🥃 Cognac joins other spirit-themed observances like National Brandy Alexander Day (January 31) and National Wine Day (May 25). Make sure also to check out our complete list of national days dedicated to alcoholic drinks.

National Hug Your Cat Day: Celebrated each year on June 4 as a reminder to show affection to feline companions. While not every cat enjoys being hugged, this day encourages bonding through gentle interaction and love. Petting and snuggling can reduce stress for both cats and their humans.

🐱 A similar celebration, International Cat Day, is observed on August 8. See also our complete list of national days dedicated to cats and their owners.

National Old Maid’s Day: Honors unmarried women who have historically been labeled as “old maids.” The term once carried a negative connotation, but this day, first celebrated in 1948 by Marion Richards of Jeffersonville, Pennsylvania, recognizes the valuable contributions single women make to families, workplaces, and communities. Richards hoped the observance would one day gain popularity alongside Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.

National SAFE Day* (First Tuesday after Memorial Day): Founded in 2016 by the Brooklynn Mae Mohler Foundation, this day promotes responsible gun ownership and safety. It was created in memory of Brooklynn, who died in 2013 due to an unsecured firearm in a friend’s home. SAFE stands for Secure all firearms, Ask about unsecured guns in other homes, Frequently talk about gun safety, and Educate others. The day encourages families to take proactive steps to prevent similar tragedies.

National Tailors Day* (First Wednesday in June): Observed near the early June birthday of Elias Howe, who patented the lockstitch sewing machine in 1846, this day recognizes tailors and seamstresses for their role in personal style and clothing craftsmanship. The observance encourages people to thank the professionals who help them look their best.

🧵 A related celebration is National Sewing Machine Day on June 13.

Shopping Cart Day: Celebrates the invention of the modern shopping cart, introduced on June 4, 1937, by Sylvan Goldman of the Humpty Dumpty supermarket chain in Oklahoma. Goldman designed the cart to help customers carry more items and shop longer. The innovation revolutionized the retail experience and remains a fixture in stores worldwide. This quirky observance recognizes a simple yet transformative idea in shopping history.

World Day for Assistive Technology: First observed in 2024, launched by the organization Unlock the Everyday. The day advocates for global access to tools and devices that improve quality of life for people with disabilities or limitations. It focuses especially on providing assistive tech in low- and middle-income countries.

♿️ A related day, Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), occurs in May and highlights broader digital inclusion efforts.