Harvey Milk Day is organized by the Harvey Milk Foundation and celebrated each year on May 22 in memory of Harvey Milk, a gay rights activist who was assassinated in 1978. Milk was a prominent gay activist during the 20th century. He ran for office three times before becoming the first openly gay person elected to California public office, where he served as a city supervisor. Harvey Milk Day came about as a day to remember and teach about Milk's life and his work to stop discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community.

The date is celebrated on his birthday.
Born: Harvey Bernard Milk - May 22, 1930. Woodmere, New York, U.S.
Died: November 27, 1978 (aged 48). San Francisco, California, U.S.