You’ve probably seen the date floating around social media or heard a friend mention it in passing. Maybe you saw a TikTok video with a grainy background claiming that June 14 is a massive, global celebration of independence from monarchy. It sounds cool, right? A day for the common person. A day where we all collectively agree that nobody gets to wear a crown.
But here is the weird truth: No King's Day June 14 isn't a real public holiday.
It’s one of those digital-age phantoms. Like a Mandela Effect or a viral rumor that grew legs and started running, the idea of a specific "No King's Day" on this date is a fascinating mix of internet folklore, misinterpretation of actual history, and perhaps a bit of wishful thinking from republicans (the anti-monarchy kind, not the American political party). If you look at an official calendar in any country on Earth, you won't find it.
So why do people keep talking about it?
The Confusion with Flag Day and Monarchies
Part of the reason the search for No King's Day June 14 spikes every year is likely a collision of different cultural events. In the United States, June 14 is Flag Day. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States in 1777. While the U.S. obviously prides itself on not having a king, Flag Day isn't about the absence of a monarch; it’s about the presence of a national symbol.
Then you have the actual "King's Days" around the world.
Take the Netherlands, for example. Koningsdag is a massive deal there. But that happens on April 27, the birthday of King Willem-Alexander. If you showed up in Amsterdam on June 14 wearing orange and looking for a party, you’d just be a tourist standing in the rain. People often get these dates scrambled in their heads, leading to a sort of "reverse search" where they look for the opposite of a holiday they can't quite remember the date for.
It's basically a game of historical telephone.
👉 See also: The Gospel of Matthew: What Most People Get Wrong About the First Book of the New Testament
Where did the term actually come from?
If we're being honest, the phrase "No King's Day" sounds like something straight out of a fantasy novel or a prestige TV show. Think Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon. Fans often create "holidays" or commemorative days based on plot points where a tyrant falls or a throne is destroyed.
There is also a niche political angle.
Groups that advocate for the abolition of the British Monarchy, like the organization Republic, often use significant dates to protest. However, their big moments usually align with royal events—coronations, jubilees, or the State Opening of Parliament. June 14 doesn't hold a specific "anti-monarchy" milestone in British history. The Magna Carta was sealed on June 15, 1215. So close! But not quite the 14th.
Maybe someone just missed the mark by 24 hours and the internet did the rest.
The Power of Viral Misinformation
We live in an era where if enough people search for something, it becomes "real" in the eyes of the algorithm. This is exactly what happened with No King's Day June 14. A few years ago, a series of posts suggested that because certain countries were moving toward becoming republics, a new international day was being established.
It wasn't.
But the SEO (Search Engine Optimization) of it all took over. Blogs started writing about it to catch the traffic, and suddenly, you have a "holiday" that exists only because people are asking if it exists. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy of content.
✨ Don't miss: God Willing and the Creek Don't Rise: The True Story Behind the Phrase Most People Get Wrong
Real Independence Days in June
Even though No King's Day June 14 is a bit of a ghost, June is actually a massive month for people throwing off the yoke of foreign rule or monarchical control. If you want to celebrate something real, you have plenty of options.
- June 12: Philippines Independence Day. This celebrates the 1898 declaration of independence from Spain. No king there.
- June 17: Iceland’s National Day. This marks the day in 1944 when Iceland became a republic and cut ties with the Danish monarchy.
- June 18: Seychelles National Day.
- June 25: Mozambique Independence Day.
And of course, in the U.S., we have Juneteenth on June 19. While not about a king, it is the ultimate "No Master" day, celebrating the end of slavery in the United States. It carries the weight and the spirit that people seem to be looking for when they search for a day of liberation.
Why the idea of "No King" still resonates
There’s a reason this specific phrase sticks in the brain. Humans love a good "down with the tyrant" narrative. From the French Revolution to the modern-day "Megxit" drama, our fascination with royalty is usually split between obsession and total resentment.
The idea of a "No King's Day" appeals to the democratic spirit.
It’s the vibe of: "I’m my own boss."
When people search for No King's Day June 14, they aren't usually looking for a history textbook. They’re looking for a reason to celebrate autonomy. They want a day that says the birthright of a single family shouldn't determine the fate of a nation. Even if the holiday is fake, the sentiment is very, very real.
Honestly, the fact that there isn't a formal day for this is kind of surprising. You’d think with all the revolutions in the 18th and 19th centuries, someone would have planted a flag on June 14 and claimed it for the commoners.
🔗 Read more: Kiko Japanese Restaurant Plantation: Why This Local Spot Still Wins the Sushi Game
How to verify "internet holidays"
Before you go planning a "No King" party and inviting all your friends to wear t-shirts with crossed-out crowns, do a quick sanity check. This applies to more than just No King's Day June 14.
- Check official government portals. If it’s a national holiday, it will be listed on a
.govor.orgsite. - Look for the "Why." Real holidays have a specific event tied to them. A battle, a signing, a birth, a death. If the only explanation is "it's a day to celebrate not having a king," it's probably a social media invention.
- Search reputable news archives. Use sites like the Associated Press or Reuters. If they haven't reported on a "global movement" for a specific holiday, it’s likely just a trend.
What you can actually do on June 14
Since we’ve established that No King's Day June 14 isn't a thing you'll get the day off for, what do you do with that information?
You can still lean into the spirit of it.
If you're in the U.S., you can observe Flag Day, though that’s admittedly a bit more "establishment" than a "No King" rebellion. Or, you can use the day to educate yourself on the actual history of republicanism. Read about the transition of nations like Barbados, which became a republic in 2021, removing Queen Elizabeth II as their head of state. That was a massive, real-world "No King" (or Queen) moment.
It’s also a great day to support local, grassroots organizations. The whole point of not having a king is that the power stays with the people, right? Go volunteer. Vote in a local election. Do something that exercises your right to have a say in how things are run.
That’s a much better way to celebrate than following a viral phantom.
Actionable Steps for the Skeptical Researcher
Now that the mystery is mostly solved, here is how you can handle these types of viral "holidays" in the future:
- Cross-reference the date with UNESCO. They keep a formal list of "International Days." If it’s not there, it’s not an official global observance.
- Audit your sources. If the only places talking about a holiday are Pinterest, Tumblr, or "TodayInHistory" bots on X (formerly Twitter), take it with a grain of salt.
- Trace the hashtag. Often, these days start as a marketing campaign for a movie or a book. If you see a specific brand associated with it, you've found your "king."
- Celebrate the real stuff. Instead of chasing a fake date on June 14, mark your calendar for the real independence days of the world. They have much better stories, anyway.
The internet is great at making us feel like we're missing out on a party. But in the case of No King's Day June 14, the only thing you're missing is a bit of historical accuracy.
Keep your crowns off if you want to, but don't expect a parade.