LIBRARY BLOG
Have you ever wondered how the months of the year got their names? Actually, the months’ names reflect a mixture of gods, goddesses, rulers, and numbers. The first Roman Calendar was adopted from the Greek lunar calendar. It had only 10 months, beginning with the spring month of Marius (March).
It was followed by Aprilis (April), Maius (May), Junius (June), Quintilis (meaning fifth), Sextilis (sixth), September (seventh), October (eighth), November (ninth), and December (tenth). All of this made sense until sometime at the end of the seventh century BC, when the Roman emperor Numa Pompilius added two extra months to bring the lunar calendar back in line with the solar seasons. The new months that he added were Januarius (January) and Februarius (February) which later became the first and second months. When he added these two months it made the names Quintilis through December seem foolish. Later on, two other Roman emperors, Julius Caesar and Augustus Caesar, renamed Quintilis and Sextilis after themselves. The two months became Julius (July) and Augustus (August).
By the time Julius Casesar came to power in 46 B.C., the calendar needed major adjustment. After consulting a Greek astronomer named Sosigenes, Caesar ordered the following changes to the Roman calendar:
- The lunar calendar would be replaced with a solar one.
- The year would have 365¼ days instead of 365.
- The year would begin in January and have twelve months of fixed length.
- An extra day would be added ever four years in the month of February.
- The months of January, March, May, July, September, and November would all have thirty-one days. All the other months would have thirty except February, which would have twenty-eight or twenty-nine.
In order to restore the seasons to their proper places, Julius Caesar added eighty days to the current year. So, the year 46 B.C. had 445 days. It became known as Annus Confusionus – The Year of Confusion!
Augustus was born Gaius Octavius Thurinus in 63 B.C.E. Historians refer to him as Octavian. In 27 B.C., the emperor Augustus became the ruler of Rome after Julius Caesar’s death. Octavian was adopted by Julius Caesar, who in turn changed his name to Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus. Octavian rejected all titles such as king or emperor. The most he would agree to be called was Augustus, meaning “honored” or “revered one.”
The month of August got its name from the Ancient Romans who named this month for Augustus Caesar. Augustus made adjustments to the calendar since the extra day that was supposed to be every four years was actually every three years. He also named August after himself since Julius Caesar named July after himself. Since July had 31 days, Augustus borrowed a day from February making it a 28-day month. He also changed September and November to thirty days and gave October and December 31 days.
August is usually the hottest month of the year in most of the United States and Canada. It’s a great month to head to the beach or the woods to cool off. It’s also a month with no national holidays. However, we do have the following dates to celebrate during the month of August.
National Mustard Day
First Saturday – The Mustard Museum began sponsoring National Mustard Day in 1991. In 2010, the event moved to the current home of the Museum in Downtown Middleton, Wisconsin. With more than 6,000 enthusiastic mustard lovers in attendance annually, this event has raised thousands of dollars for local charity.
National Watermelon Day
August 3rd — National Watermelon Day recognizes the refreshing summertime treat enjoyed by so many at picnics and fairs. Since watermelon is 92% water, it is very satisfying in the summer heat.
Wiggle-Your-Toes-Day
August 6th – National Wiggle Your Toes Day offers people the chance to show off the digits on their feet. The day encourages giving our feet (and our toes) a little extra attention.
National Lighthouse Day
August 7th – Celebrated with lighthouse groups offering the general public a host of fun-learning activities to enjoy; including tours, cruises and presentations that pay special tribute to America’s lighthouses and their grand history.
Left-handers’ Day
August 13th – I’m so glad we have this day as I’m left-handed. This day is a chance to tell your family and friends how proud you are of being left-handed, and also raise awareness of the everyday issues that lefties face as we live a world designed for right-handers.
National Aviation Day
August 19th – This is the day to honor the people who invented airplanes, as well as other flying heroes. Brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first airplane flight in December 1903. They were the first to figure out the right shape for wings. Their engine powered them into the sky. And they created the ways that airplanes are steered. Why August 19th you ask? That was Orville Wright’s birthday.
National Radio Day
August 20th – This day recognizes the great invention of the radio. Celebrate the news, information, music, and stories carried across the airwaves. Several inventors had a part in the invention of the radio in the late 1800s. Amazingly, not just one person can be credited with its beginning.
Senior Citizen’s Day
August 21st – President Ronald Reagan took the initiative to honor seniors in 1988 when he signed Proclamation 5847 and marked this day as the day seniors will be celebrated. “Throughout our history, older people have achieved much for our families, our communities, and our country.”
National Banana Split Day
August 25th – David Strickler’s hometown of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, proudly celebrates his creation with a festival every year. In 2013, they placed an official marker at the site of the pharmacy where Strickler first made his famous banana split. Then, the United States Post Office honored the banana split and town of Latrobe in 2016 with a 47-cent “forever stamp” depicting the banana split. It was one of five stamps in the “Soda Fountain Favorites” series. For a time, Latrobe residents could receive a cancellation mark memorializing their claim to fame.
National Dog Day
August 26th – Celebrated annually and was founded in 2004 by Pet & Family Lifestyle Expert, Animal Rescue Advocate, Conservationist, Dog Trainer and Author, Colleen Paige. She is also the founder of many other holidays such as National Puppy Day, National Mutt Day, National Cat Day, National Wildlife Day and many more philanthropic days to bring attention to the plight of animals around the world and encourage adoption.
Toasted Marshmallow Day
August 30th – Believe it or not, marshmallows date back to Ancient Egypt. The mallow plant provided a sap the Egyptians used to create a candy with nuts and honey. Ligonier, Indiana, holds an annual Marshmallow Festival. It is also the marshmallow capital of the world. How sweet is that?
National Trail Mix Day
August 31st – An ideal hike snack food because it is lightweight, easy to store, nutritious and provides a quick energy boost from the carbohydrates in the dried fruits or granola as well as sustained energy from the fats in the nuts. It is claimed by some that the trail mix was invented in 1968 by two California surfers who blended peanuts and raisins together for an energy snack. However, in the 1958 novel The Dharma Bums, written by Jack Kerouac, trail mix is mentioned when the two main characters describe the planned meals in preparation for their hiking trip.
Holidays don’t mean that we only celebrate them for the day, we can also celebrate them for the week, or the month.
International Clown Week
First week of August – If you have a goofy wig and a clown nose, wear it—it’s time to celebrate clowns! Clowning is a big part of circus life. Clowns have to be great jugglers and acrobats, too.
International Assistance Dog Week
First week of August – Thousands of dogs are trained to help people. These animals guide blind people. They help disabled kids and adults. They can even help feed people!
National Smile Week
Second week of August – National Smile Week and was primarily started as a campaign for dental health. This week gives us a chance to focus on things that make us smile and how to incorporate more smiles into our days.
National Golf Month
Did you know golf has been around for more than 600 years? Shepherds in Scotland started the game. They hit rocks with their shepherd staffs! Today, millions around the world love this sport. In August, tee it up to celebrate!
National Peach Month
Juicy, sweet, tasty: peaches are one of our favorite fruits. This month, the peach harvest is winding down. Make sure and get some fresh peaches before they disappear.
National Picnic Month
What’s more pleasant than a picnic? This month, gather your family and eat outdoors. You can have a picnic in the park, at the beach, or even in your backyard! (Watch out for ants!)
Recommended Books
Sources
- Greenblatt, Miriam. Rulers and Their Times: Augustus, Hatshepsut, Alexander the Great, and Peter the Great. Marshall Cavendish Corp, 1999.
- Kelley, K. C., and Bob Ostrom. August. Av² By Weigl, 2019.
- Kesselring, Mari, et al. August. Magic Wagon, 2010.
- “Left Handers Day.” StackPath, www.lefthandersday.com/.
- Maestro, Betsy, and Giulio Maestro. Story of Clocks and Calendars: Marking a Millenium (JN). Lothrop, Lee & Shepard, 1999.
- “National Banana Split Day – August 25.” National Day Calendar, 21 Aug. 2020, nationaldaycalendar.com/national-banana-split-day-august-25/.
- “National Dog Day.” National, www.nationaldogday.com/about1.
- “National Lighthouse Day – August 7th.” American Lighthouse Foundation, www.lighthousefoundation.org/national-lighthouse-day/#:~:text=Each%20year%2C%20August%207%20is,lighthouses%20and%20their%20grand%20history.
- “National Mustard Day – First Saturday in August.” National Day Calendar, 31 July 2020, nationaldaycalendar.com/national-mustard-day-first-saturday-in-august/.
- “National Radio Day – August 20.” National Day Calendar, 18 Aug. 2020, nationaldaycalendar.com/national-radio-day-august-20/#:~:text=Each%20year%20on%20August%2020th,radio%20in%20the%20late%201800s.&text=As%20these%20technologies%20converged%2C%20the%20radio%20came%20to%20life.
- “National Senior Citizens Day – August 21, 2021.” National Today, 1 June 2021, nationaltoday.com/national-senior-citizens-day/#:~:text=President%20Ronald%20Reagan%20took%20the,our%20communities%2C%20and%20our%20country.
- “National Toasted Marshmallow Day – AUGUST 30.” National Day Calendar, 28 Aug. 2020, nationaldaycalendar.com/national-toasted-marshmallow-day-august-30-2/.
- “National Trail Mix Day – August 31.” National Day Calendar, 21 Aug. 2016, nationaldaycalendar.com/national-trail-mix-day-august-31/.
- “National Watermelon Day – August 3.” National Day Calendar, 20 Aug. 2020, nationaldaycalendar.com/national-watermelon-day-august-3/.
- “National Wiggle Your Toes Day – August 6.” National Day Calendar, 4 Aug. 2020, nationaldaycalendar.com/national-wiggle-your-toes-day-august-6/.
- Old Farmer’s Almanac. “How Did the Months Get Their Names?” Old Farmer’s Almanac, www.almanac.com/content/how-did-months-get-their-names.
-Gretchen Avet, Youth Services Clerk