August Facts

Did you know that August was originally named Sextilis?

August was originally named Sextilis, which means the sixth month. It was renamed to August in 8 BCE to honor the first Roman Emperor, Augustus Caesar.

That is why August is named after the Roman Emperor Augustus.

August is named after the first Roman Emperor, Augustus Caesar. He was the adopted son of Julius Caesar and ruled from 27 BCE until his death in 14 CE. And, an additional fun fact is this: Augustus Caesar was born on September 23, 63 BCE, but he was named Augustus in honor of the month of August.

Originally, August did not have 31 days.

Now this is probably one of the most intriguing facts about August because it seemingly came from a tinge of jealousy. August had only 30 days, while July, which was named after Julius Caesar, had 31 days. However, Augustus, the Roman Emperor after whom August is named, did not want his month to have fewer days than Julius Caesar’s month. So, he added a day to August, making it 31 days long, just like July.

The Perseid Meteor Shower occurs in August.

The Perseid Meteor Shower is one of the most popular meteor showers. It usually peaks around August 11th to 13th and can be visible from most parts of the world and draws many stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts.

If you are looking for date ideas, try stargazing on these days and appreciate the spectacular display of shooting stars with your partners.

August has two birthstones.

Similar to May, August also has two birthstones. The birthstones for August are peridot and sardonyx. Peridot is a green gemstone that brings good luck and protects against nightmares. Sardonyx is a reddish-brown gemstone that brings courage and happiness.

August also has two birth flowers.

August’s birth month flowers are the gladiolus and poppy. The gladiolus is a tall and elegant flower that symbolizes strength, honor, and moral integrity. The poppy, the beautiful red bloom made famous from the poem centuries ago, is often associated with remembrance and is used as a symbol of respect for fallen soldiers and veterans.

Famous Leos and Virgos of August.

If you are a Leo or Virgo, bask in the fact that you share the same as these famous people. To name a few, former President Barack Obama, Chris Hemsworth, Neil Armstrong, and Jennifer Lopez are some famous Leos.

As for Virgos, we have the King of Pop Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, Zendaya, and the late Kobé Bryant.

August is National Peach Month.

This month-long celebration is dedicated to the delicious and juicy fruit that is a summertime favorite for many people. Whether you prefer your peaches fresh, cooked, or baked into a dessert, August is the perfect time to savor this sweet and juicy fruit.

Another quick fun fact: Did you also know that Georgia is also known as the “Peach State” due to its high production of peaches?

And, it is also the month of the Honey Moon.

In many cultures, August is known as the month of the Honey Moon. This is because it is the time of year when honey is harvested from beehives. And if you are the superstitious type, plan your honeymoon to fall on this month as well.

August is the busiest month for tourism.

Not a fan of bumping shoulders with people? Then August may not be the month for your travels. Because of the summer holidays and the warm weather, August is the busiest month for tourism in many parts of the world, especially Europe and North America. If not, then take a trip to Paris or Venice with the rest of the world.

August was once considered an unlucky month for weddings.

In ancient Rome, August was considered an unlucky month for weddings. This is because it was the month of the Feriae Augusti, a period of rest and celebration that made it difficult to plan weddings.

The first week of August is called Simplify Your Life Week.

Who came up with this day, we have no idea either. However, it is definitely a great week for many of us to Marie Kondo. Take this week to focus on decluttering your home and simplifying your daily routine. Perhaps you may find something you thought you had lost as well.

August is all about appreciating your dogs.

If you are a dog owner, this is the month to shower your dogs with love and lots of treats! Whether they are high-maintenance dogs or small little teacup dogs, dedicate this day to spending time with your furry friend. This day is meant to recognize the importance of dogs in our lives and to promote their welfare.

And if you don’t have a dog yet, you can also try adopting. What better way to adopt on this very special day?

August is also a special day for left-handed people.

International Left-Handers Day is celebrated on August 13th. It is a day to recognize and celebrate the unique qualities of left-handed people. So to all the left-handers out there, this one’s to you.

August celebrates National Underwear Day along with other weird celebrations.  

If you don’t know, August celebrates several weird occasions that leave you scratching your head. But whoever came up with these, we aren’t complaining. August 3rd is National Watermelon Day for you to appreciate this summer fruit. August 5 is National Underwear Day to celebrate various types of undergarments. And perhaps the best one of all – August 10th is National Lazy Day for anyone to justify being a sluggard.

Here are some other strange celebrations: National Tell a Joke Day (August 16), Kiss and Make-Up Day (August 25), and Just Because Day (August 27).

The word “August” means “inspiring reverence or admiration”.

The word “August” comes from the Latin word “Augustus,” which means “inspiring reverence or admiration. Today, the word “August” is often used to describe something that is impressive, majestic, or awe-inspiring.

For example, we might describe a grand cathedral or a breathtaking landscape as “August”. The word can also be used to describe people who are highly respected or admired, such as revered leaders or beloved artists like Picasso.

August is also when Martin Luther King Jr. gave his most famous speech.

August 28th, 1963 was when the speech “I Have a Dream” was made on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. It was a historic moment that campaigns for equal rights and the end of discrimination. And for that, thank you Martin Luther King Jr.

You will be able to see the Sturgeon Moon on August 11.

This is another interesting and unique fact of August that adds to its rich history and cultural significance. The full moon in August goes by another name – the Sturgeon Moon. It was named by the Native American tribes because it was the time of year when sturgeon fish were plentiful in the Great Lakes and other bodies of water.

August is the eighth month in the Julian and Gregorian calendars.

In both the Julian and Gregorian calendars, August is the eighth month. The Julian calendar was introduced by Julius Caesar in 45 BCE, while the Gregorian calendar was introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582.

There is not a single month with the same starting day as August. 

The final fact about August is that no other month starts on the same day of the week as August. It is only during leap years when February starts on the same day of the week as August.