August

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August is the eighth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days.

August begins (astrologically) with the sun in the sign of Leo and ends in the sign of Virgo. Astronomically speaking, the sun begins in the constellation of Cancer and ends in the constellation of Leo.

August was named in honor of Augustus. The month reputedly has 31 days because Augustus wanted as many days as Julius Caesar's July. Augustus placed the month where it is because that is when Cleopatra died. Before Augustus renamed August in 8 BC, it was called Sextilis in Latin, since it was the sixth month in the Roman calendar which started in March.

In Brazil, folk superstition associates bad luck to August, with the proverb "Agosto, o mês do desgosto" ("August, the month of misfortune") being often heard. This may come from the sinister memories of the St. Bartholomew's day (August 24), which is particularly dreaded in the Northeast of the country. August 24 is also, in the tradition of Candomblé, the day of Eshu, one of the most malevolent deities. Some unfortunate political events took place in August, like the suicide of the then President Getúlio Vargas. ^*

August is also the name of a Japanese visual novel company.

Other names

In Ireland, (in the Irish language) August is known as Lúnasa, a modern rendition of Lughnasadh, named after the god Lugh and August 1, (Lá Lúnasa) in the Irish Calendar is still regarded as the first day of Autumn. The first Monday in August is one of the public holidays in the Republic of Ireland.

In the old Japanese calendar, the month is called hatsuki (葉月).

In Finnish, the month is called elokuu, meaning "month of reaping".

Events in August

In the pagan wheel of the year August begins at or near Lughnasadh in the northern hemisphere and Imbolc in the southern hemisphere.
Some of Ireland's most famous battles have been fought in this month. They include: the Second Battle of Athenry (1316); the battle of Knockdoe (1504); the Battle of the Yellow Ford (1596); the First Battle of Curlew Pass (1599); the Battle of Dungans Hill (1647); the Battle of Castlebar (1798), and the Battle of the Bogside (1969).
On the sixth of August 1806 Emperor Francis II of the Holy Roman Empire lays down the Roman Imperial Crown and renounces all claims on this throne.
In the UK, August is generally when academic exam results are published, including GCSEs and A-Levels as well as other exams. Also, scholars and school workers such as teachers, have a holiday or non-contact time, and there are two bank holidays (UK). It is typically when people go on holiday.
In 1945 the end of the Second World War was brought about following the August 6 bombing of Hiroshima and August 9 bombing of Nagasaki in the first and only use of nuclear weapons against people. Emperor Hirohito declared Japan's unconditional surrender on August 15.
August 14 1947 Pakistan became independent (included East Bengal region as a whole).
August 15 1945 Korea became independent.
August 15 1947 Bharat became independent and adopted the name India.
August 19 1945 VietNam The August Revolution succeeded.

Monthlong events in August

National Back To School Month
National Psoriasis Awareness Month
National Investors Month
Admit You're Happy Month
Women's Small Business Month
In many European countries, August is the holiday month for most workers.

Weeklong events in August

During August 13 to 19 August, Philippines schools and theaters celebrate the National Week of the Filipino Language.
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is held the first full week in August each year.

Moving daily events in August

Last Sunday

the Philippines celebrates National Heroes Day in commemoration of the First Cry of the Philippine Revolution on August 23, 1896.

Trivia

August begins on the same day of the week as February in a leap year.
August's flower is the gladiolus or poppy.
August's birthstone is the peridot, sardonyx, or sapphire.
August contains no United States holiday.
August in the Northern Hemisphere is the seasonal equivalent to February in the Southern Hemisphere and vice versa.