World Bee Day

What Is World Bee Day?

May 20 is World Bee Day. Thanks to the efforts of the Government of Slovenia, with the support of Apimondia (the International Federation of Beekeepers' Associations), the UN General Assembly unanimously proclaimed the day in 2017. It aims to raise awareness of the essential role bees and other pollinators play in keeping people and the planet healthy, and of the many challenges they face.

May 20 Is Anton Janša's Birthday

The date was chosen because it is the birthday of Anton Janša, a pioneer of modern apiculture.

• May 20, 1734: Anton Janša was born in Breznica, Slovenia, into a long line of beekeepers.
• A life in beekeeping: In 1766 he enrolled in the first beekeeping school in Europe, and from 1769 he worked full time as a beekeeper. In 1771 he published a book on beekeeping in German.
• The 2016 proposal: At the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) Regional Conference for Europe, Slovenia proposed celebrating World Bee Day on May 20 every year.
• First observed in 2018: Following the UN General Assembly's proclamation in 2017, the first World Bee Day was observed on May 20, 2018.

Slovenia, a Country of Beekeeping

According to FAO, beekeeping is an important agricultural activity with a long-standing tradition in Slovenia, where Anton Janša was born. Today, however, bees, pollinators, and many other insects are declining in abundance. World Bee Day is an opportunity for everyone, whether in government, organizations, or civil society, to promote actions that protect pollinators and their habitats.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Enjoy local honey or products made with honey
• Plant flowers that attract bees in your garden or on your balcony
• Look up what you can do to protect bees on the FAO website
• Find out which insects pollinate the fruits and vegetables you eat

A Day to Thank Small, Hard Workers

Bees do more than make honey; by carrying pollen, they support our food and the natural world. World Bee Day on May 20 is a day to recognize the importance of these small creatures and the challenges they face. Why not enjoy some honey today and think about the work bees do?