June 19 National Days

June 19 is the 170th day of the year (171st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, leaving 195 days until the end of the year. This date holds deep historical significance while also celebrating technology, cartoons, food culture, and slow-paced joy.

A few observances, such as National Dump the Pump Day and World Tapas Day, shift each year based on weekday placement, while the rest are fixed on June 19.

Here’s a full overview of the 12 national and international days observed on June 19.

National and International Days on June 19

Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict: Proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015, this day raises awareness of sexual violence used as a tactic in war and conflict. The date was chosen to mark the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1820 in 2008, which condemned sexual violence as a weapon of war. The day honors survivors, victims, and those working to end such crimes worldwide.

International Box Day: This playful observance celebrates cats and their instinctual love of cardboard boxes. Originally created by cat lovers, it highlights how boxes provide comfort, warmth, and stress relief to felines. Though unofficial, the day is widely embraced by the pet community. It also coincidentally shares its name with a separate boxing-related observance held on August 27.

Juneteenth: Also known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day, Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of slavery. Though the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued in 1863, enforcement only reached Texas on June 19. The name Juneteenth combines “June” and “nineteenth.” In 2021, it became a U.S. federal holiday.

National Dump the Pump Day* (Third Thursday in June): Founded in 2006 by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), this day promotes public transit as a cost-saving and eco-friendly alternative to driving. It encourages people to leave their cars at home and explore cleaner, more sustainable options like buses, trains, bikes, or walking—even if just for one day.

National FreeBSD Day: Celebrated on June 19, this day commemorates the 1993 launch of FreeBSD, a pioneering open-source operating system. The FreeBSD Foundation created the observance to recognize its continued influence on technology, education, and software development. FreeBSD is used globally in research, commercial systems, and higher education.

National Garfield the Cat Day: On June 19, we celebrate the lasagna-loving orange tabby created by Jim Davis. First published in 1978, the Garfield comic strip holds the Guinness World Record for most widely syndicated comic. In 1998, on its 20th anniversary, Boca Raton’s city council officially declared the date National Garfield the Cat Day during a surprise birthday party at the International Museum of Cartoon Art.

National Watch Day: Launched in 2017 by Nordstrom, National Watch Day honors the craftsmanship, design, and personal significance of wristwatches. Even with the rise of smartwatches and phones, traditional watches remain symbols of style, heritage, and engineering. This day highlights the role watches have played for centuries in both fashion and timekeeping.

Rare Chromosome Disorder Awareness Day: Observed each year on June 19, this day raises awareness of rare chromosome and gene disorders. It was established by the organization Unique, which began as a shared notebook between families. In 2025, the group will release an updated version of their “Little Red Book,” filled with stories from families in the global rare disorder community.

Real Food Day: Started in 2019 by the Public Health Collaboration (PHC), Real Food Day encourages eating minimally processed foods like vegetables, fruits, meat, fish, dairy, and legumes. Samuel Feltham, who founded the PHC, launched the day to raise awareness about the role of real food in improving health outcomes and reversing chronic conditions caused by poor diets.

World Sauntering Day: Created by W.T. Rabe in 1979 while vacationing at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island in Michigan, World Sauntering Day encourages people to slow down and enjoy life. Intended as a playful response to the jogging craze of the late 1970s, the day promotes relaxed, mindful walking with no rush or set destination. It’s a reminder to be present and appreciate everyday surroundings.

World Sickle Cell Day: Established by the United Nations in 2008, this day brings attention to sickle cell disease, a life-threatening genetic blood disorder. June 19 was chosen to mark the date of the resolution’s adoption and encourages efforts to improve public understanding, support patients, and promote research for better treatments.

World Tapas Day* (Third Thursday in June): This global celebration honors Spain’s iconic small plates, known as tapas. From olives and cheese to spicy potatoes and fried squid, tapas reflect Spanish culinary tradition. In Latin America, similar dishes are called bocas or botanas. This day was created to showcase tapas as both a cultural experience and a flavorful way to enjoy shared meals.

😋 Similar days include International Paella Day on March 27 and International Spanish Language Day on April 23.