50+ Lifestyles

August, the Eighth Month of Our Year

By Eloise Graham

The August birthstone is the peridot. It is a pale green to yellow-green gem stone. This gem has been found in both Greek and Roman jewelry dating as far back as the 16th century BC. The Egyptians called this lustrous stone the “gem of the gods.” The secondary birthstone for August is the Sardonyx. This gemstone is reddish-brown in color and is said to symbolize courage and happiness.

The August birth flowers (there are two) are the gladiolus and the poppy. Both flowers are available in a rainbow of colors. These blooms are very popular in late summer. The gladiolus is a symbol of strength and love. In the garden, it adds height and a brilliant splash of color in the final full month of the summer. The poppy is best known for its bright red color, but it also comes in yellow, oranges and whites.

August Fun Facts

Did you know that August was originally named Sextilis? This means the sixth month, and at one time, it was. It was renamed August in 8 BC to honor the first Roman Emperor Augustus Caesar. Also, August only had 30 days in it. But July, named for Julius Ceaser had 31 days. Augustus did not want his month to have fewer days than Julius’ month.

August is also the month of the Honey Moon. This is because it is the time of year that honey is harvested from the beehives. If you are superstitious plan your honeymoon in August.

The first week of August is called Simplify Your Life Week. Take this week to declutter your home or work space. Simplify your daily routine.

August has a day for left-handed people. August 13th is International Left-Handers Day. A big left-handed High Five!

August 3rd is National Watermelon Day, a day set aside to enjoy this summer fruit and have watermelon seed spitting contests. So don’t buy that seedless variety.

August 5th is known as National Underwear Day. So celebrate the whitey tighties, Grandma’s bloomers and the girdle.

Rest up for August 10th. That is National Lazy Day. You can be a sluggard all day and still be guilt free.

August is also the month when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr gave his “I Have a Dream” speech. The date was August 28, 1963.

And just a little bit of trivia. No other month starts on the same day of the week as August. The exception is on leap year, when February starts on the same day of the week as August.