June Calendar

June, the sixth month of the year, originally had only twenty-six days. Then Romulus, the legendary founder and first king of Rome, added four more days. Other rulers added and took away days, but finally in the time of Julius Caesar, June was given thirty days and still has exactly that many.

There are conflicting stories about how June was named. Some historians claim that each year in this month the children, or juniors, were honored, and so the month became know as June. Others declare that it was named in honor of Junius, who according to legend was king of Rome after Romulus. But most people think that June was named after Juno, the mythical queen of heaven and the wife of Jupiter. Juno was especially worshiped by women because she was considered to be the goddess of marriage and childbirth. The first day of each month was sacred to her and festivals were held in her honor.

Poets have written many poems about the beauty of this month. Perhaps the most famous is by James Russell Lowell and begins, “And what is so rare as a day in June?”

Jacques Marquette: French explorer. Born June 1, 1637.

Thomas Hardy: English novelist. Born June 2, 1840.

First missionary work began in England: June 4, 1837.

Chile Mission organized: June 6, 1961.

United States Flag Day: June 14.

Branch of Church organized in Iceland: June 19, 1853.

LDS missionaries began labors in Taiwan: June 23, 1956.

First LDS missionaries arrived in Genoa, Italy: June 25, 1850.

Prophet Joseph Smith and brother Hyrum martyred: June 27, 1844.

Illustrated by Phyllis Luch