Tag Archives: August

History, Miscellaneous

Welcome to August!

Leave a comment
Medieval illustration of men harvesting wheat with reaping-hooks
Circa 1310
Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

 

Welcome to August!

August is named for the first Roman emperor Augustus. It used to be called Sextillis meaning sixth as on the old Roman calendar the year started in March. It is the last full month of summer in the Northern Hemisphere but in the southern winter. August is known as a major month for vacations and with so many people off traveling, one of the busiest months for the tourist season.

The old August adage is a “Dry August and warmth harvest no harm” reflects how the month signals the start of the harvest season. Cantaloupe, cucumber, corn, eggplant, tomatoes, bell and jalapeno peppers are often harvested during this time. The Celts used celebrate Lammas Day (also called Lugnasad) on August 1. It was a festival marking the wheat and corn harvest. The early Catholic church in England kept it as a harvest festival as well. Loaves of bread made from the new grain would be consecrated in a loaf-mass.

For those looking to the skies, the Perseid Meteor Shower that began in July continues to 24 August. The best viewing days (and you need to be away from the cities to see it best) are 9-13.

The August moon is known as both the Sturgeon and Grain Moon. Other names include Fruit and Barley as well. Up in Norway August is particularly noteworthy as the town of Ny-Ålesund is the most northernmost town in the world and for them summer has been one very long day. Since April the sun has stated above the horizon but Polar Day usually occurs near or on 24 August. On that day, the sun remains visible for the entire day (24 hours) without ever setting. This is due to the tilt of the Earth axis. A lot of tourists come to visit the town where the sun stays up late into the night and of course Polar Day itself. The flip side is that from late October till mid-February, the sun does not rise making it one very long night.

For More Information

Boeckmann, Catherine. “Month of August 2026: Fun Facts and Holidays!” Almanac.Com. Last modified July 30, 2026. https://www.almanac.com/content/month-august-holidays-fun-facts.

Rehberger, Georg. “August: Eighth Month of the Year.” TimeandDate. Accessed August 3, 2026. https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/months/august.html.

History, Miscellaneous

Welcome to August

Medieval illustration of men harvesting wheat with reaping-hooks
Circa 1310
Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

August is the eight month and is named for the Roman emperor Augustus. On the old Roman calendar, the month was called Sextillis (meaning sixth) as that calendar started in March. It is the last month of summer in the Northern Hemisphere but in the southern February. It is a major month of vacations especially in Europe.

The August adage is “Dry August and warmth doth harvest no harm” signals the start of the harvest season. August brings cantaloupe, cucumber, corn, eggplant, tomatoes, bell and jalapeno peppers. The Celts called August 1 Lamas Day, marking the wheat and corn harvest with a festival and feast. The Perseid Meteor which began in July continues to August 24 with the best viewing days on August 9-13th.

The August full moon is sometimes called Sturgeon Moon but since harvesting begins it is called Grain Moon, Fruit Moon, and Barley Moon. For the people that live in the town of Ny-Ålesund in Norway, August is very important. As the northernmost town in the world, the summer has been one long day. The sun has been staying above the horizon since April and finally during August Polar Day occurs. That often occurs on August 24 though it can vary year to year. Tourists often visit between May-August. The sun does not rise between late October to mid-February.

The August birth flowers are the gladiolus and poppy, and the birth stone is the peridot.

For More Information

Catherine Boeckmann, “Month of August 2025: Fun Facts and Holidays!,” Almanac.Com, last modified July 23, 2025, https://www.almanac.com/content/month-august-holidays-fun-facts.

“The Month of August,” https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/months/august.html.

Miscellaneous

Welcome to August

Medieval illustration of men harvesting wheat with reaping-hooks
Circa 1310
Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

August is the eight month on the Gregorian and Julian calendars. One the old Roman calendar this was the sixth month called Sextilis since that calendar start in March. It is named for the Roman emperor Augustus and this month was chosen as many important battles he won were done during this month. It is the last full month of summer in the Northern Hemisphere but in the southern the equivalent of February. In Europe, it is often the month where many workers take vacations.

The adage about August is “Dry August and warmth doth harvest no harm.” August is when the first harvests begin and when the first harvest festivals begin. Typical produce to find in August are cantaloupe, cucumber, corn, eggplant, tomatoes, bell and jalapeno peppers. The first day of August was called Lammas Day by the Celts to mark the annual harvest of wheat and corn. It was typically celebrated with a festival and feast.

The Perseid Meteor shower which began in July continues to August 24. The best viewing days are between August 9-13th. The August full moon is sometimes called Sturgeon Moon but since harvesting begins in the Northern Hemisphere it has also called Grain Moon, Fruit Moon, and Barley Moon. For the people that live in the town of Ny-Ålesund in Norway, August is very important. As the northernmost town in the world, the summer has been one long day. The sun has been staying above the horizon since April and finally during August Polar Day occurs. That often occurs on August 24 though it can vary year to year. Tourists often visit between May-August. The sun does not rise between late October to mid-February.

August is the last full month of summer. Some schools start reopening during the month, which is why parents are often shopping for school items in late July and early August. Many though, if they can, try to use the last month of summer as a time for vacations. It is usually the high tourist season in Europe where many workers get the time off. All the major cities are packed and getting into museums and historical sites can take a while unless you buy a pass (available to tourists) to bypass the line and enter. Also remember if visiting the Vatican, there is a dress code for entering the museum and Sistine Chapel. Generally, men and women must wear clothing that fully covers their shoulders, not wear dresses or shorts that go above the knee, hats & caps must be removed, no tattoos can be visible, no ripped jeans or ripped t-shirts, and if wearing t-shirts make sure it has nothing offensive on it. Women cannot wear any sleeveless or low-cut tops. Full rules can be viewed here. Also be sure to wear comfortable shoes or sandals. The Vatican Museum is large and requires a lot of walking. Flip-flops are not recommended. Also be sure to store your money securely (a money belt is the safest) and watch out for thieves who try to distract you in front while someone quickly opens your backpack or bag to steal.

Sources

Boeckmann, C. (2024, July 24). Month of August 2024: fun facts and holidays! Almanac.com. https://www.almanac.com/content/month-august-holidays-fun-facts

The month of August. (n.d.). https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/months/august.html

Wikipedia contributors. (2024c, June 28). August. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August

Travel Tips

Travel Tips | Rick Steves’ Europe. (n.d.). https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips

Corrias, A. (2023, November 28). Vatican dress Code – What to wear when visiting Vatican City. Rome Actually. https://www.romeactually.com/vatican-dress-code/

Miscellaneous

Welcome to August

Medieval illustration of men harvesting wheat with reaping-hooks
Circa 1310
Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

August is the eight month on the Gregorian and Julian calendars. One the old Roman calendar this was the sixth month called Sextilis since that calendar start in March. It is named for the Roman emperor Augustus and this month was chosen as many important battles he won were done during this month. It is the last full month of summer in the Northern Hemisphere but in the southern the equivalent of February. In Europe, it is often the month where many workers take vacations.

August in the Northern Hemisphere is also when the first harvest and harvest festivals begin. The dog days of summer end officially on August 11. The Perseid Meteor shower which began in July continues to August 24. Usually the best viewing days are between August 9-13th. The August full moon is sometimes called Sturgeon Moon but since harvesting begins in the Northern Hemisphere it has also called Grain Moon, Fruit Moon, and Barley Moon.. For the people that live in the town of Ny-Ålesund in Norway, August is very important. As the northernmost town in the world, the summer has been one long day. The sun has been staying above the horizon since April and finally during August Polar Day occurs. That often occurs on August 24 though it can vary year to year. Tourists often visit between May-August. The sun does not rise between late October to mid-February.

The symbols for August are:

  • Gladiolus(Gladiolus imbricatus)
    Photo: Christer Johansson(via Wikipedia)

    Birthstores: peridot, sardonyx, and spined.

  • Flowers: Gladiolus or Poppy

Miscellaneous

Welcome to August

Medieval illustration of men harvesting wheat with reaping-hooks
Circa 1310
Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

August is the eight month on the Gregorian and Julian calendars. One the old Roman calendar this was the sixth month called Sextilis since that calendar start in March. It is named for the Roman emperor Augustus and this month was chosen as many important battles he won were done during this month. It is the last full month of summer in the Northern Hemisphere but in the southern the equivalent of February. In Europe, it is often the month where many workers take vacations.

August in the Northern Hemisphere is also when the first harvest and harvest festivals begin. The dog days of summer end officially on August 11. The Perseid Meteor shower which began in July continues to August 24. Usually the best viewing days are between August 9-13th. The August full moon is sometimes called Sturgeon Moon but since harvesting begins in the Northern Hemisphere it has also called Grain Moon, Fruit Moon, and Barley Moon.. For the people that live in the town of Ny-Ålesund in Norway, August is very important. As the northernmost town in the world, the summer has been one long day. The sun has been staying above the horizon since April and finally during August Polar Day occurs. That often occurs on August 24 though it can vary year to year. Tourists often visit between May-August. The sun does not rise between late October to mid-February.

The symbols for August are:

  • Gladiolus(Gladiolus imbricatus)
    Photo: Christer Johansson(via Wikipedia)

    Birthstores: peridot, sardonyx, and spined.

  • Flowers: Gladiolus or Poppy

History

August Facts and Information

Poppy Field
Friederike Hiepko
Publicdomainpictures.net

August is the eighth month in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars and is one of the seven months that has thirty-one days. One the old Roman calendar it was the sixth month and originally called Sextilis (on that calendar March was the first month of the new year). By the time of Julius Caesar, January and February had been added to the calendar. Caesar added two days when he created the Julian calendar in 46 BC giving it the modern length of thirty-one days. It was renamed in 8 BC to honor the Emperor Augustus. August also entered the vocabulary as well. To call someone august meant they were distinguished or renowned. The same would apply if you applied it to an institution or government body as well.

August in the northern hemisphere is a time when the bounty of the season is often at its fullest (below the equator it is still winter). The birthstones are peridot and onyx, and the birth flower the poppy. For those who like to watch the stars, the Perseid meteor shower which usually occurs between July 17 and August 24. They are often the most visible between August 9 to August 13. The best time to view is usually the pre-dawn hours though you can sometimes see them earlier as well. Another fun fact to know is the Dog Days of Summer (which began on July 3) comes to an end on August 11.

Also, in August we notice, slowly at first, that the days are starting to get a little shorter. At the beginning of the month, you can have up to 14 hours of daylight. By August 31 though, it has shrunk to 13 hours. The sunset that occurred perhaps at 8:17 pm on the first day of August is now just under 7:40 am at the end. Conversely sunrise is getting later resulting in darker early mornings unlike in June or July.

Sources:

  1. August Is the Eighth Month of the Year (timeanddate.com)
  2. The Month Of August 2021: Holidays, Fun Facts, And More (The Old Farmer’s Almanac)
  3. Perseids (NASA)

 

Titanic

Titanic Musings

Augustus Bevilacqua”. Bust of the emperor with the Civic Crown, period of his reign. Artist Unknown Glyptothek , Munich, Germany Public Domain
“Augustus Bevilacqua”. Bust of the emperor with the Civic Crown, period of his reign.
Artist Unknown
Glyptothek , Munich, Germany
Public Domain

August is now the eighth month of the year under the current calendar but was originally the sixth month under the old Roman calendar. When January and February were added to the calendar in 753 BC, it became the eighth month. Julius Caesar added two days making it 31 days in 45 BC for the new Julian calendar. In 8 BC it was named for the Roman emperor Augustus and has remained so ever since. The gladiolus or poppy is the flower associated with this month.

August is also National Sandwich Month in the United States. John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, is often credited with being is namesake. During a card game, it is claimed, he wanted something to eat so he did not have to leave the game. Meat between two slices of bread fit the bill and it has forever more been known in England and the West as a sandwich. In it simplest form it is a portable meal. Such ways of eating food have been around for a long time and many cultures going back to ancient times had versions of what we call a sandwich. Stemming perhaps from a legal decision about whether burritos or quesadillas count as sandwiches, a sandwich is defined as two slices of bread with meat or other items of food between. Hot items on breads are almost never called sandwiches such as hamburgers or hot dogs. American sandwiches tend to be full size when European and British tend to be smaller and sometimes used for fancy parties. The English butty is a type of sandwich with butter and meat but is rarely cut. Often one slice of bread is used that is folded over rather than sliced.

The Titanic in Photographs exhibit has opened up at RVP in Tunbridge Wells, UK. This exhibit is based upon a book of the same name by Daniel Klistorner. The exhibit contains items from various Titanic auctions around the world. It is quite a remarkable collection to view. It also simulates through the use of various memorabilia what it looked like aboard Titanic. The exhibit is free but guides are available for £5.

Belfast Titanic is adding jobs this summer to cope with expected heavy crowds. The weather over there right now is not too bad. Temperatures for the coming week look to be in the mid-60’s during the day and mid 50’s at night. And yes some rain is expected during the week. As always pack with that in mind when visiting Ireland.

Miscellaneous

Welcome to August

Today is the first sunday of August, the eight month in the Gregorian calendar. It is summer in the northern hemisphere and winter in the southern. One interesting bit of trivia is that August ends on the same day of the week as November every year. This month was originally known as Sextili as it was the sixth month. It shifted around for a while as calendars were changed or adjusted until around Julius Caesar added to more days to give it a full 31 and by that time it was the eighth month. It became August (Latin Augustus) to honor the Emperor Augustus. The word august has come to mean respected and impressive. Saying someone is part of an august body is to say the body is distinguished and renowned.

The birthstones for August are peridot and sardonyx. The August flower is the gladiolus or poppy.

Gladiolus(Gladiolus imbricatus) Photo: Christer Johansson(via Wikipedia)
Gladiolus(Gladiolus imbricatus)
Photo: Christer Johansson(via Wikipedia)