World Bee Day is on Thursday, May 20, 2027, and it falls on May 20 every year. It’s a United Nations day to raise awareness of bees and other pollinators, and the threats they face. Bees help grow much of the food we eat.
When Is World Bee Day?
It’s always May 20. It was first observed in 2018. It’s an international awareness day, not a public holiday.
Who Started World Bee Day?
The UN General Assembly unanimously proclaimed May 20 as World Bee Day in 2017, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) notes. Slovenia, a country with a long beekeeping tradition, championed the idea.
Who was Anton Janša?
The date honors Anton Janša, a pioneer of modern beekeeping. He was born on May 20, 1734, in Breznica, in what is now Slovenia, the oldest of nine children, the Slovenian government notes.
He became the first imperial teacher of beekeeping at a school in Vienna founded by Empress Maria Theresa. In 1771, he published A Treatise on the Swarming of Bees, and he later wrote a complete guide to beekeeping.
Janša was born into a peasant family, and his birth house stood beside an apiary. He showed a talent for painting and entered the Fine Arts Academy in Vienna in 1766 with two of his brothers. He later chose beekeeping as his life’s work.
On April 6, 1770, an imperial decree made him the first imperially appointed teacher of apiculture, at Augarten in Vienna. He died there on September 13, 1773, Slovenia’s Žirovnica tourism office notes.
Why Are Bees Important?
About 35% of the world’s food crops depend on animal pollinators to reproduce, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says. That’s roughly one in every three bites of food.
Honey bees get the most attention, but they aren’t alone. More than 3,600 bee species live in the U.S., and about 70% of them nest in the ground.
Many are in trouble. “Today bees, pollinators, and many other insects are declining in abundance,” the FAO warns. The day aims to turn awareness into action, by farmers, governments, gardeners and families.
Each year, the FAO picks a theme. The 2026 theme, “Bee Together for People and the Planet,” focused on the long partnership between people and bees. It also linked to the International Year of the Woman Farmer.
How to Celebrate World Bee Day
- Plant native flowers: native plants provide nectar and pollen and need little upkeep.
- Plan for all seasons: choose at least three plants that bloom in spring, summer and fall, the USDA suggests.
- Cut back on pesticides: reduce or avoid them, especially on open flowers.
- Leave some bare ground: most native bees nest in soil, so skip mulch in a sunny patch.
- Put out water: a shallow dish with pebbles gives bees a safe place to drink.
- Buy local honey: support beekeepers at farmers’ markets.
- Learn from a beekeeper: many local clubs offer hive tours and classes.
- Let clover bloom: mow less often so lawn flowers can feed bees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is World Bee Day on May 20?
It’s the birthday of Anton Janša, born May 20, 1734, a Slovenian pioneer of modern beekeeping.
Are honey bees endangered?
Managed honey bees are not endangered, but many wild native bee species are declining. Both face threats from habitat loss, pesticides and disease.
How can kids help bees?
They can plant flowers in pots, make a bee water dish and learn to stay calm around bees. Most bees only sting when threatened.