June 22 is the 173rd day of the year (174th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, leaving 192 days until the end of the year. With summer officially underway in the Northern Hemisphere, today’s observances range from sweet desserts and refreshing liqueurs to rainforest protection, pet safety, and HVAC appreciation.
Here’s a full overview of the 10 national and international days celebrated on June 22.
National & International Days on June 22
B Kinder Day: Launched in 2018 and inspired by the late Billie Kinder, B Kinder Day encourages people of all ages to spread kindness through meaningful actions. Schools, workplaces, and communities participate by writing and sharing “b kinder” cards to foster empathy and connection. The day promotes inclusivity and reminds us of the impact small acts of kindness can have in changing the world.
International Being You Day: Created by Dr. Dain Heer, author of Being You, Changing the World, this day invites people to embrace their individuality and let go of judgment. Originally observed on May 22 in 2021, the holiday shifted to June 22 in 2023. International Being You Day encourages self-awareness, acceptance, and celebration of human diversity.
National Chocolate Eclair Day: Recognizing a classic French pastry, this food holiday celebrates the chocolate éclair—an oblong dessert filled with cream and topped with chocolate glaze. The éclair likely originated in the 19th century, with early recipes appearing in English-language cookbooks by the 1880s. Often confused with the Long John donut, the éclair uses pâte à choux dough, setting it apart as a more refined pastry.
National HVAC Tech Day: Founded in 2016 by ARS/Rescue Rooter, this day honors heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technicians who keep homes and businesses comfortable year-round. Observed on June 22, it acknowledges their technical expertise and hard work, especially during extreme seasonal temperatures.
National Kissing Day: While the origins of this date remain unclear, National Kissing Day on June 22 encourages people to share affection through a kiss. Although International Kissing Day is celebrated on July 6, this observance offers an extra opportunity to express love and connection—whether between partners, friends, family, or pets.
National Limoncello Day: Founded by Marie Barber in 2018, National Limoncello Day traces back to a meaningful family conversation that took place on June 22, 2017. The holiday celebrates the iconic Italian lemon liqueur, known for its bright, zesty flavor. Traditionally made with lemon zest, alcohol, and simple syrup, limoncello is often enjoyed chilled as a digestif and represents the Italian spirit of hospitality.
🍸 See our complete list of national days related to alcoholic drinks.
National Onion Rings Day: This crispy appetizer gets its own spotlight on June 22. Recipes for fried onion rings date back to the early 1800s, but the dish was popularized in the U.S. by restaurants like A&W during the mid-20th century. While several origins are debated—from a 1933 Crisco ad to Pig Stand restaurants in Texas—the day celebrates this golden, deep-fried snack.
National Pet Choking Prevention Day: Launched in partnership with Bow Wow Labs and veterinarian Dr. Judy Morgan, this safety-focused day raises awareness about choking hazards for pets. Observed on June 22, it promotes education on safe chew toys and products to prevent avoidable accidents. The day’s mission is “Target: Zero”—a goal to eliminate pet choking deaths through informed care and oversight.
National Take Your Cat to Work Day* (First day of Take Your Pet to Work Week) was first celebrated in 2022, thanks to Petplan pet insurance. It offers feline companions the same spotlight previously given to dogs and encourages cat owners to include their pets in the workplace fun.
🐱🐶This light-hearted holiday kicks off National Take Your Pet to Work Week* (June 22-26, 2026) and mirrors National Take Your Dog to Work Day, which began in the late 1990s.
Positive Media Day: Established in 2018 by Greg Neff, Positive Media Day aims to shift the global media narrative by encouraging the sharing of uplifting news and stories. The day invites individuals and media outlets to highlight positive change, human resilience, and everyday acts of goodness that often go underreported.
World Rainforest Day: Founded in 2017 by Rainforest Partnership, World Rainforest Day shines a light on the vital role rainforests play in climate regulation, biodiversity, and local economies. Celebrated on June 22, the day calls for global action to protect these ecosystems, many of which are threatened by deforestation, illegal logging, and habitat loss.
It complements other environmental observances like Earth Day on April 22 and Arbor Day celebrated last Friday in April in the U.S.
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