June 4 is the 155th day of the year in common years and the 156th day in leap years. In the Gregorian scheme it typically falls in the Northern Hemisphere's late spring or early summer and leaves 210 days until year-end. For more on the mechanics of leap years see leap years, and for background on the calendar system itself see the Gregorian calendar.
Calendar position and characteristics
The date sits roughly midway between the spring equinox and the summer solstice in the temperate north. In many cultures the early June period is associated with planting, outdoor festivals, or the start of summer holidays. Daylight and weather patterns on June 4 vary widely by latitude: near the Arctic Circle it will be very long daylight, while in the Southern Hemisphere it is late autumn.
Notable historical events
- 1940 — The evacuation at Dunkirk (Operation Dynamo) concluded in the first days of June; June 4 is commonly cited as a turning point in that operation.
- 1942 — The Battle of Midway began on June 4, a pivotal World War II naval engagement in the Pacific theatre.
- 1989 — The events of late spring culminated in a widely reported and consequential crackdown in Beijing; June 4 is a date that is widely commemorated and discussed in that context.
These examples illustrate how a single calendar date can be connected to events of military, political, and social significance across different eras.
Observances, births and cultural notes
June 4 may host local or national observances depending on a country's history and calendar of public commemorations. Several notable people were born on this date; among well-known figures are King George III (born 1738) and actress Angelina Jolie (born 1975). The date also appears in literature, music, and anniversary remembrances.
As with any date, June 4's importance depends on regional calendars and historical memories. Entries for the day in almanacs, chronologies, and daily historical compilations give fuller lists of events, births, and deaths associated with it.