It is an awareness day when beekeepers, beekeeping clubs and associations, and honey bee enthusiasts from cross the USA celebrate honey bees and recognise their contribution to humans’ everyday lives as a means of protecting them. The event was started in 2009 by a small group of beekeepers who petitioned for and obtained a formal proclamation by the USDA honouring honey bees and beekeeping. It is celebrated on the third Sunday of August. It is managed by HoneyLove.org, a Los Angeles based honey bee educational non-profit organisation.