The Perseids, a
The Perseids, a major meteor shower, typically takes place between July 17 and August 24, with the days of the peak varying yearly. The star cluster of Messier 30 is best observed around August.
THE MONTH OF AUGUST
August was named to honor the first Roman emperor (and grandnephew of Julius Caesar), Augustus Caesar (63 B.C..–A.D. 14).
AUGUST CALENDAR
“After Lammas Day, corn ripens as much by night as by day.”
major meteor shower, typically takes place between July 17 and August 24, with the days of the peak varying yearly. The star cluster of Messier 30 is best observed around August.
THE MONTH OF AUGUST
August was named to honor the first Roman emperor (and grandnephew of Julius Caesar), Augustus Caesar (63 B.C..–A.D. 14).
AUGUST CALENDAR
“After Lammas Day, corn ripens as much by night as by day.”
- August 1, traditionally known as Lammas Day, was a festival to mark the annual wheat and corn harvest. Lammas also marked the mid-point between the summer solstice and autumn equinox, and was a cross-quarter day. See more about Lammas Day.
- August 5 is a Civic Holiday in parts of Canada.
- August 9 starts the Islamic New Year, or the First of Muharram, beginning at sundown. Traditionally, it begins at the first sighting of the lunar crescent after the new Moon.
- August 10 is St. Lawrence’s Day. “Fair weather on St. Lawrence’s Day presages a fair autumn.”
- August 11 marks the end of the Dog Days of Summer, which began on July 3.
- August 17 is when the Cat Nights begin, harking back to a rather obscure Irish legend concerning witches; this bit of folklore also led to the idea that a cat has nine lives.
- August 19 brings National Aviation Day, chosen for the birthday of Orville Wright who piloted the first recorded flight of a powered heavier-than-air machine in 1903.
- August 24 is St. Bartholomew Day. “At St. Bartholomew, there comes cold dew.”
- August 26 is Women’s Equality Day, which celebrates the 1920 ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment and, with it, women’s right to vote in the United States.
“Just for Fun” Days
Have fun with these strange celebrations!
- Aug. 1–7: International Clown Week
- Aug. 3: National Watermelon Day
- Aug. 8: “National Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbors’ Porch Day” (Or, use up that bounty with our best zucchini recipes.)
- Aug. 10: National S’mores Day
- Aug 12: Vinyl Record Day
- Aug. 13: International Left-Handers Day
- Aug. 17: International Geocaching Day
- Aug. 17: World Honeybee Day
- Aug. 25: Kiss-and-Make-Up Day
AUGUST ASTRONOMY
Full Sturgeon Moon
August’s full moon, the full Sturgeon Moon, reaches peak illumination in the morning hours of Sunday, August 22. For the best view of the full Moon, look skyward on the night of the 21st! Read more about August’s Full Moon.
Perseid Meteor Shower
August is a wonderful month for star gazing! It’s the month of the Perseid meteor shower, which peaks between August 11 and 13. This year, the Perseids reach their peak just a few days after the new Moon (August 8), which means that the Moon’s usual brightness won’t wash out too many of the “falling stars!”
August Moon Phases
New Moon: Aug. 8, at 9:50 a.m. EDT
First Quarter: Aug. 15, at 11:21 a.m. EDT
Full Moon: August 22, at 8:02 a.m. EDT
Last Quarter: Aug. 30, at 3:15 a.m. EDT
Zodiac Signs in August
- Leo (Lion): July 23 – August 22
- Virgo (Virgin): August 23 – September 22
AUGUST BIRTH FLOWERS
August’s birth flowers are the gladiolus and the poppy.
The gladiolus symbolizes strength of character, sincerity, and generosity.
AUGUST BIRTHSTONE
August has three birthstones: peridot, spinel and sardonyx. Peridot is a yellow-green gemstone that comes from the mineral olivine. Its name derives from the Arabic word “faridat,” which means “gem.” However, some scholars believe peridot gets its name from the Greek word “peridona,” which means “giving plenty.”
August’s primary birthstone is peridot, which is said to symbolize strength and healing power, protecting its wearer from nightmares and evil, ensuring harmony and happiness. Babies born in August are lucky to be guarded by peridot’s good fortune.
- Peridot is the rare gem-quality form of the mineral olivine that appears in various shades of green, sometimes with a brown or yellow tinge. Called “evening emerald,” the peridot was often mistaken for that other gem. Peridot is formed deep inside the earth’s mantle and is brought to the surface by volcanoes. In Hawaii, peridot symbolizes the tears of Pele, the volcano goddess of fire who controls the flow of lava.
A previous birthstone for this month was sardonyx, which is characterized by alternating bands of sard and onyx, both forms of chalcedony. Although it can appear in several colors, it is usually reddish and white. It is thought to bring courage, happiness, and eloquence.
Spinel is often given as a gift for the twenty-second wedding anniversary. Sardonyx is a combination of the minerals sard and onyx, which together form the reddish-brown or orange stone with bands of white or black. The gem’s name is also a mix. “Sard” references the ancient city “Sardis,” and “onyx” derives from the Greek word “onux,” meaning “fingernail.”
- Sardonyx was often used in Roman seals and signet rings during ancient times, according to GIA. During battle, Roman solider would wear sardonyx rings with Mars, the god of war, for protection.
- India, Brazil, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Madagascar, Uruguay and the U.S. are among many countries where sardonyx is produced, according to the American Gem Society.
- This birthstone is associated with courage and happiness. It is also believed sardonyx helps strengthen marriage and partnerships.
- Legend says that Queen Elizabeth I once gave the Earl of Essex a ring made of sardonyx, pledging her aid if he was ever in need. Later on, when accused of treason and scheduled for execution, he tried to send the ring to her but an enemy intercepted it. The queen learned of his plea only years later, after he had been beheaded.