National Honey Bee Day

Celebrated on 08/15/2026

Quick Fact

Honey bees are responsible for pollinating about one-third of the food we eat, including apples, almonds, and blueberries. A single bee colony can produce up to 100 pounds of honey per year, but it takes about 556 worker bees to gather a pound of honey from 2 million flowers.

Origins and Establishment of National Honey Bee Day

National Honey Bee Day was founded in 2009 by a group of beekeepers in the United States who wanted to raise awareness about the importance of honey bees and the challenges they face. The day was officially recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is observed on the third Saturday of August each year. The founders aimed to create a day for education, community involvement, and appreciation of beekeeping.

Evolution and Modern Commemoration

Since its inception, National Honey Bee Day has grown from local events to a nationwide celebration. Beekeepers, environmental groups, and agricultural organizations host workshops, honey tastings, and educational programs. The day also highlights the plight of honey bees, including colony collapse disorder, and promotes actions like planting bee-friendly flowers and reducing pesticide use. Social media campaigns with hashtags like #NationalHoneyBeeDay help spread awareness.

Facts & General Observations

• Honey bees can fly up to 15 miles per hour and beat their wings about 200 times per second.
• A single hive can contain up to 60,000 bees, with one queen, a few hundred drones, and thousands of worker bees.
• Honey never spoils; archaeologists have found 3,000-year-old honey in Egyptian tombs that was still edible.

Explore more celebrations, trivia, and quests on National Day Quest.