28 Fun Facts for the Month of August You Don’t Know (2023)
- The month of August was named after Augustus Caesar, the first emperor of Rome.
- In the United States, August is considered National Golf Month.
- The Olympic Games were originally held in August.
- The world’s first roller coaster opened at Coney Island on August 16th, 1884.
- The longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century occurred on August 11th, 1999.
- The birthstone for August is the peridot, a green stone with a yellowish tinge.
- In Japan, August is known as Kannazuki, or “godless month” because traditionally, no gods are present in the month.
- August is the 8th month of the Gregorian calendar, with a total of 31 days.
- n Japan, August is known as the “Bonzai Month” and is celebrated with festive gatherings and parties.
- August has the most daylight of any month in the Northern Hemisphere.
- August is National Water Quality Month, which is a time to recognize the importance of clean and safe water.
- The first weekend in August is International Friendship Day.
- The month of August is National Sandwich Month in the United States.
- August 30th is National Grief Awareness Day, part of Fun Facts for the Month of August, which recognizes the impact of grief and loss.
- The end of summer in the Northern Hemisphere occurs on or around the 23rd of August.
Table of Contents
Fun Facts For The Month of August
Here are 28 Fun Facts For The Month of August You Don’t Know
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, with plenty of fun facts for the month of August related to these celebrations.
The month of August is seen as the period of holiday across many countries of 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 make their preparations 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 during which the temperature is highest in the region.
7. August was called “Weod monath” in Anglo-Saxon period.
Did you know that during the Anglo-Saxon period, August was known as “Weod Monath” or “weed month” due to the rapid growth of weeds and herbs in the region? This is just one of many Fun Facts for the Month of August waiting to be discovered!
8. August 1st used to be the first day of the harvest in the UK.
It used to be 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. There are two-star signs for people born in August: Leo and Virgo.
People who are born before August 22 have the zodiac sign of Leo. The characteristic of Leo includes pride and leadership. Those people who are born on August 23 and later have the star of Virgo.
Virgos possess the qualities of diligence and loyal.
10. The US Civil rights movement’s iconic speech was delivered in August by Martin Luther King Jr.
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 flower can grow up to a height of one meter and it represents imagination and oblivion.
12. Scout Scarf Day, celebrated on August 1st, is just one of the many fun facts for the month of August that you might not know about.
Scouts all over the world 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‘ is the latest addition to National Holidays in Japan. It has been observed on August 11th, 2016 after the passing of the bill.
The purpose of the holiday is to make people familiar with mountains and to enjoy mountain blessings.
14. August 16th is National Rum Day in the US.
In 1764, taxes on rum and sugar were imposed on American colonies, which caused an uprising and led to the American Revolution – one of many Fun Facts for the Month of August.
15. World Mosquito Day is on August 20.
To honor Sir Ronald Ross, who made the discovery in 1879 that mosquitoes are responsible for the transmission of malaria. 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 rare and a special gem. It can only be found beneath the earth’s surface in lava and 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 got 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 Month and discover Fun Facts for the Month of August while indulging in delicious cheese!
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,” which currently refers to a sandwich, has been in use 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, and that’s why US President wanted them to be a part of the daily diet.
22. Barack Obama was born in August.
READ ALSO: 25 Mind-blowing Fun Facts About March (2023)
Barack Obama, Usain Bolt, Sean Connery, Jennifer Lawrence, and Whitney Houston are a few of the most well-known figures who are born in the month of August.
Barack Obama is the first and only African America President of the US. He was elected twice in 2008 and 2012.
23. August is one of the common and popular names in Sweden.
It was reported in 2014, that the 55th most common name of newborns in Sweden was August. 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.
24. Elvis Presley, the rock music legend 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.
His wife was joined by over 30000 fans for a candlelight vigil.
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 on August 30, 1962, at midnight.
In order to announce the birth of the newly sovereign nation, bells were tolled.
26. August is National Science Week in Australia.
National Science Week is organized since 1997 to raise awareness about the importance of scientific research and inventions and how people are benefited from the contribution of the field of science.
In August 2022, approximately 1000 events were scheduled in universities, libraries, and other institutions.
27. 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.
28. Ukraine celebrates Airforce Day on August 6th, which is just one of the many fun facts for the month of August that you might find interesting.
Ukraine’s air force, which is the seventh-largest in Europe and 27th-largest in the world, is maintained by Ukroboronprom and Antonov subsidiary.
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.
Conclusion for Fun Facts for the Month of August :
“Fun Facts For The Month of August” highlight the unique and interesting aspects of the month.
From the peak of the Perseid meteor shower and the National Watermelon Day holiday to the birthstones of the month and the zodiac signs of Leo and Virgo, August is a month with a lot of character.
Whether you’re looking to learn something new or simply want to impress your friends with trivia, these fun facts provide a glimpse into the rich history and cultural significance of August.
FAQs : Fun Facts For The Month of August
- Can august be a boy's name?
August can be a boy’s name. In fact, the 55th most common name for newborns in Sweden was “August”.
- What is August's birthstone?
August has three birthstones: Peridot, Spinel, and Sardonyx.
- What is august zodiac sign?
August has two zodiac signs which are Leo and Virgo.
- Why August is the best month?
August is the best month because it is a period of holidays in Europe. Everyone loves holidays, right?
- what national month is august?
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.
- what color is august birthstone?
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.
- what is special about the month of august?
It is typically a time for summer vacations, and many people enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, and barbecues. August also includes several notable holidays and observances, such as National Watermelon Day (August 3rd) and International Youth Day (August 12th). Additionally, it marks the end of summer and the start of a new school year for many students.
- what holiday is august 11?
August 11th is not a widely recognized holiday, but it is occasionally observed as National Sons and Daughters Day in the United States. This day is intended to celebrate the special bond between parents and their children. However, it should be noted that this holiday is not officially recognized by the U.S. government as a federal holiday.
- what does the month of august represent?
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).
- what awareness month is august?
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.
