28 Fun Facts for the Month of August You Don’t Know (2024 Facts)
1. August used to be the sixth month of the Julian Year.
August was the sixth month in the Roman calendar out of 10 months. Roman used to call it Sextilis which means “the sixth month” in Latin. The calendar added the months of January and February around 700 BC.
Consequently, the month of August moved to the 8th Position.
2. August had 29 days in the past.
The Roman calendar had 10 months, with all months having either 30 or 31 days. Roman king Pompilius, along with the addition of two months, reduced the month of August to 29 days.
Julius Caesar introduced Julian’s calendar and added two days to August, making it a month of 31 days.
3. The historical name of August was “Sextilis.”
In 8 BC, the month of August was renamed from Sextilis to Augustus, to honor the memory of Roman emperor Augustus.
4. August is a holiday season in Europe.
The month of August is seen as the holiday period across many countries in Europe. It can be observed in urban centers like Paris that during August, locals’ presence becomes minimal.
Due to the high influx of tourists, the absence of locals is not felt.
5. The last month of summer in the Northern Hemisphere is August.
In the northern hemisphere, the month of August is seen as the last month of the summer season. The temperature decreases steadily, and people prepare for the upcoming winters.
This is yet another fun fact about the month of August.
6. It is the last month of winter in the Southern Hemisphere.
Contrary to the northern hemisphere, in the southern hemisphere, August is the last month of the winter season. The temperature increases from August until January when the temperature is highest in the region.
7. August was called “Weod monath” in Anglo-Saxon period.
In the olden days, long before now, when people spoke in a different way, they called August something very different. They used to call it “Weod monath” during the Anglo-Saxon times.
It’s funny how words change over time. Today, we know it as August, but they had their own special name for it back then.
8. August 1st was the first day of the harvest in the UK.
It was a tradition as the harvested wheat was baked into bread and given to the church. This tradition was discontinued after Henry Xlll parted ways with Catholic Church.
9. Leo and Virgo are two-star signs for people born in August.
People who are born before August 22 have the zodiac sign of Leo. Leo’s characteristics include pride and leadership. Those people who were born on August 23 and later have the star of Virgo.
Virgos possesses the qualities of diligence and loyalty.
10. Martin Luther King Jr delivered The US Civil Rights Movement’s iconic speech in August.
On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr one of the most iconic speeches in US history, famously known as “I Have a Dream,” with a theme of ending racial discrimination.
Around 250000 people listened to that address on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
11. Gladiolus and Crimson poppy are the two birth flowers for the month of August.
Sometimes called “sword lilies,” Gladiolus is the birth flower of August, along with the crimson poppy. Gladiolus flowering plants come in a wide range of colors.
It represents kindness, moral courage, and sincerity. Poppy flowers can grow to a height of one meter, representing imagination and oblivion.
12. Scout Scarf Day was celebrated on August 1st.
Scouts worldwide are encouraged, whether they are serving or retired scouts, to display the “Spirit of Scouting” by wearing their scout scarves in public: A Scout is a Scout forever.
It also honors the opening of the first Scout Camp on Brownsea Island in 1907.
13. Japan observes national mountain day on August 11.
Also known as ‘Yama no hi‘, it is the latest addition to National Holidays in Japan. It was observed on August 11th, 2016, after the bill’s passing.
The holiday aims to familiarize people with mountains and enjoy mountain blessings.
14. August 16th is National Rum Day in the US.
On the 16th day of August, something special happened in the United States. They celebrate it as “National Rum Day.” It’s a day when people come together to enjoy and appreciate rum, a tasty and sweet alcoholic drink made from sugarcane.
People might mix it into delicious cocktails or sip it slowly. It’s a day for rum lovers to raise their glasses and toast to this unique and flavorful spirit.
15. World Mosquito Day is on August 20.
To honor Sir Ronald Ross, who discovered in 1879 that mosquitoes are responsible for malaria transmission. It was found that female mosquitoes had a malarial parasite.
This discovery helped scientists to introduce measures to prevent the disease in its early stages.
16. August 5 is National Underwear Day in the US.
Allow us to explain why we adore underwear so much. Boxers, Briefs, Panties, and Tighty-whities. Whatever name you give them, our underwear offers a layer of comfort by covering our private parts.
Nearly all cultures have underwear. Today, it is available in many sizes and colors.
17. August has three birthstones: Peridot, Spinel, and Sardonyx.
Peridot is one of the three birthstones of August. It is a rare and special gem. It can only be found in lava beneath the earth’s surface; the other source is heavenly bodies like meteorites.
Peridots are said to offer healing properties and can shield the bearer from evil.
18. It is a fateful month in the history of Romans.
On August 24, 79AD, the ancient Roman city Pompeii was covered in smoke, clouds of ash, and pulverized pumice due to the eruption of the nearby mountain Mount Vesuvius.
This was followed by the molten lava which buried the remaining inhabitants of Pompeii. Up to 16000 people lost their lives.
19. Celebrate August as National Goat Cheese Day.
In August 1998, the American Cheese Society (ACS) dedicated the month of August to Goat Cheese with the intention of educating the public about the benefits of goat cheese.
Frank Kosikowski, a professor at Cornell University, had written several books and scholarly articles about cheese.
20. August is also the National Panini month.
Panini is an Italian word meaning unsliced bread. Panini is derived from the word Pani, which refers to a bread roll. The term “panini” currently refers to a sandwich and has been used since the 16th century.
However, it didn’t gain popularity until the 1980s.
21. Ronald Reagan named August the official National Peach Month.
On June 16, 1882, US President Ronald Reagan named August the official National Peach Month to highlight the importance of healthy and nutritional food.
Peaches are a rich source of vitamins A and C, so the US President wanted them to be a part of the daily diet.
22. August is one of the common and popular names in Sweden.
It was reported in 2014 that August was the 55th most common name for newborns in Sweden. Only 22% of boys with the name August were born in August. Also, August is the only name that features among 1000 men’s names.
23. The rock music legend, Elvis Presley passed away in August.
On August 16, 1977, Elvis Presley died at his home in Memphis because of a heart attack. Although his health of Elvis had been deteriorating, his sudden death left the whole world in shock.
Over 30000 fans joined his wife for a candlelight vigil.
24. Barack Obama was born in August.
Barack Obama, Usain Bolt, Sean Connery, Jennifer Lawrence, and Whitney Houston are some of the most well-known figures born in August.
Barack Obama is the first and only African-American president of the US. He was elected twice, in 2008 and 2012.
25. Independence Day celebrations in the Caribbean start in August.
August 31st marks the anniversary of Trinidad and Tobago’s 1962 declaration of independence from the United Kingdom. The Trinidad and Tobago flag was hoisted for the first time at midnight on August 30, 1962.
Bells were tolled in order to announce the birth of the newly sovereign nation.
26. Friendship Day is on the first Sunday of August in India.
Friendship Day celebration started back in the 90s decade. The festival became extremely popular among youngsters thanks to Bollywood movies.
On this day, friends tie a friendship band to each other. Moreover, students’ attire includes white t-shirts as friends write friendship quotes on these shirts.
27. Ukraine celebrates Airforce Day on August 6th.
The Ukroboronprom and Antonov subsidiaries maintain Ukraine’s seventh-largest air force in Europe and the 27th-largest globally.
These interesting details about the Air Force are just a few of the Fun Facts for the Month of August waiting to be explored.
The Ukrainian Air Force took part in the Donbas conflict.
28. August is National Science Week in Australia.
National Science Week has been organized since 1997 in Australia to raise awareness about the importance of scientific research and inventions and how people benefit from the contribution of the field of science.
In August 2022, approximately 1000 events were scheduled in universities, libraries, and other institutions.
FAQS
August can be a boy’s name. In fact, the 55th most common name for newborns in Sweden was “August.”
August has three birthstones: Peridot, Spinel, and Sardonyx.
August has two zodiac signs, which are Leo and Virgo.
August is the best month because it is a holiday period in Europe. Everyone loves holidays, right?
August is recognized as National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) in the United States. During this month, various public health organizations aim to raise awareness about the importance of vaccination for people of all ages. The goal is to encourage individuals and families to get vaccinated and stay protected against vaccine-preventable diseases.
The birthstone for August is peridot, which is typically a green color. The shade of green can vary from a yellowish-green to a more olive-green tone.
The month of August represents the end of summer and the beginning of autumn in some parts of the world. It is typically associated with warm weather, outdoor activities, and vacations. August is also known for several notable holidays and observances, including National Watermelon Day (August 3rd), International Youth Day (August 12th), and World Humanitarian Day (August 19th).
August is recognized as National Breastfeeding Month in the United States, which aims to promote the benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and infants. It is also recognized as National Immunization Awareness Month, which highlights the importance of getting vaccinated to prevent the spread of diseases.
