Facts About The Month Of August

In common years no other month starts on the same day of the week as August,

though in leap years February starts on the same day. August ends on the same day of the week as November every year.

This month was originally named Sextilis in Latin, because it was the sixth month in the original ten-month Roman calendar under Romulus in 753 BC, when March was the first month of the year. About 700 BC it became the eighth month when January and February were added to the year before March by King Numa Pompilius, who also gave it 29 days. Julius Caesar added two days when he created the Julian calendar in 45 BC giving it its modern length of 31 days. In 8 BC it was renamed in honor of Augustus (despite common belief, he did not take a day from February; see the debunked theory on month lengths). According to a Senatus consultum quoted by Macrobius, he chose this month because it was the time of several of his great triumphs, including the conquest of Egypt.

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Events in August (see August Calendar for more)

In the neopagan wheel of the year August begins at or near Lughnasadh (also known as Lammas) in the northern hemisphere and Imbolc (also known as Candlemas) in the southern hemisphere.

India got independence on 15 August 1947.

Some of Ireland's most famous battles have been fought in this month. They include: the Second Battle of Athenry (1316); the battle of Knockdoe (1504); the Battle of the Yellow Ford (1596); the First Battle of Curlew Pass (1599); the Battle of Dungans Hill (1647); the Battle of Castlebar (1798), and the Battle of the Bogside (1969).

Monthlong events in August:

Edinburgh Festival is an internationally famous arts festival that takes place during August

National Immunization Awareness Month

6 August is Independence Day in Jamaica since 1962

9 August is the National Day of Singapore.

15 August is Indian Independence Day since 1947.

14 August is Pakistan's Independence Day since 1947.

National Psoriasis Awareness Month

National Water Quality Month

In many European countries, August is the holiday month for most workers

The Philippines celebrates August as the "Month of Philippine Languages"

In the United States, August is National Back to School month. Some US School districts and systems return to school in August.

In the United States, August is National Goat Cheese Month.

American Adventures Month

Audio Appreciation Month

Black Business Month

Cataract Awareness Month

Children's Eye Health and Safety Month

Children's Vision and Learning Month

Get Ready for Kindergarten Month

Happiness Happens Month

Neurosurgery Outreach Month

Panini Month

Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month

What Will Be Your Legacy Month

Win with Civility Month

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Weeklong events in August:

During the first week of August in Wales, the National Eisteddfod of Wales is held, in which many aspects of Welsh art and culture are celebrated.

During the first week of August in Sweden, the Medieval Week of Wisby in Gotland is held each year.

During the first week of August is World Breastfeeding Week.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is held the first full week in August each year.

The middle week of August is the peak of the Perseid meteor shower.

The Pennsic War, a massive gathering of the Society for Creative Anachronism, takes place about the first week of August every year.

The first week of August is "Indian Week" for the Penobscot Tribe in Old Town, Maine. In this week, members of the Penobscot Tribe from all over Maine venture to the Penobscot Indian Island Reservation in Old Town and take part in games, Native American arts and crafts, pow-wows, cook-outs, etc.

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Other August events:

The first full weekend in August each year, Twinsburg, Ohio, celebrates Twins Days. (blogged

Bon festival – (Obon Festival) is a Japanese traditional buddhist custom, evolved into a family reunion holiday. Many Japanese manufacturers and firms give their employees three to five days off around the 15th of August.

Indian Independence day on August 15

Pakistan's Independence day on August 14

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Daily events in August:

The Philippines celebrates National Heroes Day in commemoration of the First Cry of the Philippine Revolution on August 23, 1896.

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Islamic holidays:

Ramadan runs from July 19 to August 19 or 20 depending on the moon, 2012 - As compared to the solar calendar, the dates of Ramadan vary, moving backwards about ten days each year as it is a moving holiday depending on the moon. Ramadan was the month in which the first verses of the Qur'an were said to be revealed to the Islamic Prophet Muhammad.

Laylat al-Qadr on August 14, 2012

August 20, 2012 is Eid ul-Fitr

Note: the Islamic holidays vary from year to year. The dates given are 2012 examples.

August symbols:

Its "birth flowers are the Gladiolus or poppy, meaning beauty, strength of character, love, marriage and family.

See "Birthday Flowers" for each individual day of July.

Its birthstone is the peridot or onyx, which symbolizes ..

Its Zodiac signs for the month of August include Leo (astrology) July 22) and Virgo (from August 23 onward).

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Summer -

According to meteorologists, summer extends for the whole months of June, July and August in the northern hemisphere and the whole months of December, January and February in the southern hemisphere. This meteorological definition of summer also aligns with the commonly viewed notion of summer as the season with the longest (and warmest) days of the year, in which daylight predominates.

Summer facts / Summer holidays / List of Summer Festivals

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Meatless Mondays - Every Month

Meatless Monday is a public health awareness campaign promoting meatless, low-fat meals once a week as part of a goal to reduce the saturated fat in American diets by 15% by the year 2010."

See more about August

► List of August Observances

► Movable August Holidays

► Weird August Holidays

► August Food Observances

► August Articles

► August Events

► Daily Reasons-To-Celebrate