Why No August Holidays?
There is no extra day off in this month. I don’t like it.
Am I the only one who has noticed that August is the red-headed stepchild when it comes to holidays? I mean every other month of the year has a special day off of one kind or another–some federally mandated so mailmen and bankers can take a Monday off to be with their families. Lets review:
January has New Year’s Day when we usher in the new year a make a resolution not to usher out the old one with quite so many adult beverages. In addition, there’s a Monday off to honor Dr. King’s birthday anniversary.
February has us scurrying to by chocolates, flowers and greeting cards for Valentine’s Day and there’s another Monday off for President’s Day. Lincoln and Washington were both born in February but two federal holidays would have pushed the envelope, I fear.
April gives us Good Friday and Easter (except for those rare years when it comes early). When that occurs you can always celebrate my birthday but I don’t think you can get the day off with pay.
May provides us with Mother’s Day, Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day, the unofficial beginning of summer. Memorial Day falls on the 30th but the government makes us celebrate it on a Monday.
June is when we remember dad on Father’s Day. In some areas it may be Sadie Hawkin’s Day since many weddings take place during the month of June.
July brings out the fireworks on Independence Day for Americans.
September we mark the unofficial end of summer with outdoor barbeques and politicking on Labor Day.
October we take note of the birth of Columbus and dress up to go trick or treating on Hallowe’en. (Not everyone puts an apostrophe in Hallowe’en. That’s how I was taught back at Crooked Springs Elementary.)
November we honor our heroes on Veteran’s Day and fill our tummies on Thanksgiving Day before the football games. On some years, we vote.
December we remember Pearl Harbor, commemorate the birth of Christ and celebrate the end of one year and the start of another.
Poor August. My Muslim friends get Ramadan starting on the 22nd but I’n not so sure it’s a holiday of celebration. I’m just beginning to learn their culture but I think that’s a month of fasting. I never celebrated when I observed Lent and I only gave up things that were out of season anyway.
August was originially the sixth month back in ancient Rome–named Sextilis. There were no January or February on the old Roman calendar because they had no penchant for really cold weather. When Augustus took command in 8 BC he added those months and changed the sixth to, now the eighth, to August which had only 29 days. He, according to lore, took two days from February and gave it to his namesake. Some historians dispute this.
image via wikipedia
August is the only month that always begins on the same day of the week each year. (February does on leap years). It’s official flower is the gladiolus. August is National Goat Cheese Month but I don’t think it’s widely celebrated.
Since I have the floor I make a motion that some manner of holiday be assigned to the maligned month–something like Dog Days Relief or Hot Flash Cooldown. Do I hear a second?
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17 Comments
Darla Smith, posted this comment on Aug 6th, 2009
You’re right, August is the only month with no holiday to celebrate.
Southgate, posted this comment on Aug 6th, 2009
I hope something will happen within the lifetime of Mr.Ken and a number of holidays will be declared in the month of August.Who knows, even Mr.Ken may come to a position of pre-eminence one day and declare as many holidays as possible for August.I hope then you will do remember March also.Though on a cursory look it may seem to be a wishful thinking, the article has a wealth of information otherwise.Thank you Mr.Ken.Thank you very much.Perhaps your article may serve us as a ready reckoner especially the Indians.
Collette Edwards, posted this comment on Aug 6th, 2009
I second that ken, This was very intersting, I learned a couple things I didn’t know. Thanks for sharing. Lets have a contest to make aholiday for August.. (well beside the ovious holiday of Ken’s Birthday) lol
PR Mace, posted this comment on Aug 6th, 2009
I never thought about it before you’re right, August is left out. How about a national Day Before School Starts Back Holiday. Who wants to vote on it?
Christine Ramsay, posted this comment on Aug 6th, 2009
You are funny, Ken. We in England have even fewer. Though we celebrate some of these festivals we don’t get a national holiday for them. I think there should be a holiday in every month.
Christine
ladybaby, posted this comment on Aug 6th, 2009
I was having the same idea as PR Mace. August is Happy, Happy back to school for Parents. However, I don’t think the kids see it the same way. My son has a birthday in August. To our family, that is a holiday. You opened up a door to new ideas. I hope to see some of the results. You are always thinking creatively.
Goodselfme, posted this comment on Aug 6th, 2009
We can make one up for you.
Rajiv Sighamony, posted this comment on Aug 6th, 2009
Thanks for bringing up the data. may be we have to create a holiday for the month of august.
sandie, posted this comment on Aug 6th, 2009
take a day off from work and have your own holiday ken, lol sandie x.
Mystify, posted this comment on Aug 6th, 2009
Brillantly funny as usual!lol hotflash days sound good to me.what about I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired,I need a break day.Everyone could just go on strike on one particular day of august,then they would be sure to give a holiday.
Ruby Hawk, posted this comment on Aug 6th, 2009
Well, we need to think of a holiday for August. mmmmm what could it be? What about Aug 15 for Dog Day? You know August is the month known as dog days. Sorry Ken, that’s the best I can do.
Daisy Peasblossom, posted this comment on Aug 6th, 2009
How about a day of free electricity? With temperatures rising the way they do, and air conditioners costing what they do to run, I’m sure we would all appreciate it.
Deepak Kumar Singh, posted this comment on Aug 7th, 2009
Here in India, we have got lots of ’special’ holidays in August. Independence day on 15th of August. Then there is ‘Raksha Bandhan’ a festival to celebrate the affection of brother and sister…Sorry Ken…
chitragopi, posted this comment on Aug 7th, 2009
Lot of information and the speciality of August is unveiled. Interesting.
Uma Shankari, posted this comment on Aug 10th, 2009
“August is the only month that always begins on the same day of the week each year. ”
I didn’t know this.
We have many festivals and holidays in India in August. I wonder if there is a month without festivals of some sort.
Anne McNew, posted this comment on Aug 11th, 2009
Thanks for the information. Now I know…
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ken bultman, posted this comment on Aug 6th, 2009
March appears to have been omitted. My apologies to the Irish among us. What would the early arrival of spring be without green beer.