diff --git a/alphavantage_api_client/client.py b/alphavantage_api_client/client.py
index fd98fe6..2559a7d 100644
--- a/alphavantage_api_client/client.py
+++ b/alphavantage_api_client/client.py
@@ -1064,7 +1064,7 @@ def get_top_gainers_and_losers(self) -> MarketMovers:
 
         return MarketMovers.model_validate(json_response)
 
-    def get_earnings_calendar(self, event: Union[str, dict]) -> EarningsCalendar:
+    def get_earnings_calendar(self, event: Union[str, dict] = dict()) -> EarningsCalendar:
         """Returns a list of company earnings expected in the next 3, 6, or 12 months.
 
         Returns:
@@ -1073,9 +1073,11 @@ def get_earnings_calendar(self, event: Union[str, dict]) -> EarningsCalendar:
         """
         defaults = {
             "function": "EARNINGS_CALENDAR",
-            "horizon": "3month",
+            "horizon": "6month",
             "datatype": "csv",
         }
+        if event is None:
+            event = dict()
         json_request = self.__create_api_request_from__(defaults, event)
         json_response = self.get_data_from_alpha_vantage(json_request, self.__retry__)
         records = json_response["csv"].split("\n")
diff --git a/tests/test_all_free_endpoints.py b/tests/test_all_free_endpoints.py
index ef206dd..ec060b7 100644
--- a/tests/test_all_free_endpoints.py
+++ b/tests/test_all_free_endpoints.py
@@ -685,8 +685,7 @@ def test_get_earnings_calendar(self):
 
     @pytest.mark.integration
     def test_get_earnings_calendar_all(self):
-        event = {"horizon": "6month", "datatype":"csv"}  # 6 months so we are sure to get data
-        earnings_calendar = self.get_client().get_earnings_calendar(event)
+        earnings_calendar = self.get_client().get_earnings_calendar()
         assert (
             earnings_calendar.success
         ), f"success was found to be True which is unexpected: {earnings_calendar.error_message}"