Samoa 1 June (Independence Day, from New Zealand 1962)

Dining in Samoa....

Trivia: Samoan people are known as ‘the happy people’ to the rest of Polynesia.

Italy 2 June (Festa della Repubblica, Italy is voted a republic in 1946 - Giuseppe Garibaldi died on this date in 1882).

On Italy's table....

Trivia: With almost 40 million visitors annually, Italy is the fourth most visited country in the world.  More.....

Tonga 4 June (Emancipation Day abolition of serfdom 1862, independence from the United Kingdom 1970)

What's on the table in Tonga?

Trivia: Rhetoric has always formed a crucial part of Tongan vocabulary and is chock-a-block with proverbs, historical allusions and poetry. Men with excellent oratory skills are touted as "talking chiefs" in Tonga. More facts....

Denmark, June 5 (1849, 1953).

Cuisine of Denmark...

Trivia: Danish pastries aren't really Danish! Still, wienerbrød, as they are called in Denmark, have become a famous speciality of the Danes, who love nothing better than a ‘cinnamon snail’ or ‘spandauer’ on the go! More fun facts.....

Faroe Islands, June 5

World Environment Day, June 5

Sweden, June 6 (1809, 1974). Also known as the Day of the Swedish flag. 

On the Swedish table.....

Trivia: One of the most popular flavors of ice cream in Sweden is salmiakki, or salty licorice, which can also be coal black in color. More facts ....

Malta 7 June (Sette Giugno, bread riot of 1919) 

Dining in Malta....

Trivia: Mdina, the nation's old, walled capital, only allows cars of residents on its roads.

Norfolk Island, Australia 8 June ((second) settlement established (everybody from the Pitcairn Islands)

Portugal 10 June (Portugal Day, "Day of Camões, Portugal, and the Portuguese Communities", National Poet Luís de Camões died in 1580)

Eating Portuguese cuisine....

Trivia: Bacalau, used extensively in Portuguese cuisine, is almost always dried and salted, because the Portuguese fishing tradition in the North Atlantic developed in the 15^th century, long before the invention of refrigeration.

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, United Kingdom 2nd Saturday in June

(Saint Helena)

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South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, United Kingdom 2nd Saturday in June

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Pitcairn Islands, United Kingdom 2nd Saturday in June

(Pitcairn Island)

Trivia: The world’s largest country, Russia encompasses nine timezones and has dozens of ethnic groups.

Falkland Islands, United Kingdom 14 June (Liberation Day, the end of the Falklands War 1982)

Iceland 17 June (National Day, founding of republic and dissolution of personal union with Kingdom of Denmark 1944)

Dining in Iceland...

Trivia: Mosquitoes do not exist in Iceland. More....

Seychelles 18 June (National Day)

Cuisine of the Seychelles....

Trivia: The coco de mer, native to the islands, produces the largest seed in the world. The distinctly shaped nut can weigh up to 15 kilograms. 

Greenland (Denmark) 21 June (Longest Day of the Year) (The National Day was introduced in 1983 as one of the Home Rule's traditions and is thus one of several expressions of national identity, which is also reflected in the flag, clothing, national anthem and language)

On the Greenland menu....

Trivia: Scientists have estimated that the Greenland ice sheet is between 400,000 and 800,000 years old.

Luxembourg 23 June (the Monarch's birthday)

Dining in Luxembourg....

Trivia: Luxembourg is the only remaining grand duchy in the world.

Québec 24 June (Quebec's Provincial Holiday, since 1977; also celebration of John the Baptist, patron saint of French Canadians, since 1834)

Mozambique 25 June (Independence from Portugal 1975)

Food in Mozambique....

Trivia: Maputo is the capital of Mozambique is also called the 'City of Acacias'. 

Croatia 25 June (Statehood Day, declaration of independence from Yugoslavia 1991)

On the Croatian table...

Trivia: Croatians have more than 500 Christmas carols.

Slovenia 25 June ((Statehood Day), declaration of independence from Yugoslavia 1991)

On the menu in Slovenia.....

Trivia: The famed Lipizzaner horses, which many people associate with Spain or Austria, actually originate from the village of Lipica in Slovenia.

Madagascar 26 June (Independence from France 1960)

Dining in Madagascar...

Trivia: Madagascar is the world's fourth largest island.

Djibouti 27 June (Independence from France 1977)

On the table in Djibouti...

Trivia: Lac Assal is saltier than the famous Dead Sea.

Democratic Republic of Congo 30 June (Independence from Belgium in 1960)

Congolese food....

Trivia:The Congo’s okapi, the so-called forest zebra, is now on the world’s endangered species list.