The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) designated June 1 as World Milk Day in 2001 to recognize milk as an essential food that provides protein, calcium, and nutrients vital for growth and bone health. The date was chosen because it already coincided with existing national milk celebrations in many countries, making it easy to unify them into a single global observance. The day highlights the dairy sector, which supports the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of farmers and workers worldwide, particularly in developing countries where livestock and milk production form a crucial economic pillar for rural households. It also draws attention to efforts to make dairy supply chains more environmentally sustainable, including reducing carbon emissions and improving water and feed management. Schools, health organizations, and food companies around the world mark the day with awareness campaigns about the benefits of milk, workshops introducing different dairy products, and initiatives encouraging the inclusion of milk in a balanced diet for people of all ages.