Even if most of the time you try to avoid bees—and, perhaps, even pictures of bees—you may want to make an exception today: it"s National Honey Bee Day. Back in 2009, then-Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack officially recognized this event to help raise awareness about the critical role bees play in the world"s ecosystem and give a nod to the beekeeping industry. Around the world, there are over 20,000 species of bees, which include solitary bees, bumblebees, and honey bees. Of these, only honey bees make honey, but all these industrious insects benefit humans by pollinating roughly a third of the crops we eat. Honey bees do most of the heavy lifting. In the US alone, each year domesticated honey bees pollinate about $20 billion worth of crops such as almonds, watermelons, blueberries, and more.
The buzz about bees
Today in History
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Native American Heritage Day
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Easter
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A hit ballet, long after its debut
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Protecting wildlife today and tomorrow
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Get amped for Glastonbury
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Homeward bound
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Siblings Day
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Museum Night in Berlin
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Autumn in Alaska
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Wildcat in a winter wonderland
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Manatee Appreciation Day
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The Grand Départ: Tour de France begins
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In the Highlands for Saint Andrew s Day
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Everybody loves World Turtle Day
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A day of service for Dr. King
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GOAL!
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It s Computer Science Education Week
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Wahclella Falls, Oregon
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Stari Most in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Kissing Day
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At the gates of the ksar
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The Crown of the Continent
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Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz, California
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Joan charges Riverside Park
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International Mountain Day
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What the hay?
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The ruins of a Maya superpower
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A dreamy start to the Year of the Pig
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The call of the wild in Alaska
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Green fields of grain