That Happened in August?
This week has not been the easiest of weeks for Americans, and the “Dog Days of Summer” are bearing down on East Tennessee with all the hazy, hot, and humid glory that they are known for.
August is typically known as the hottest month of the year, 2019 has been no exception, and there’s no relief in the foreseeable forecast.
With that being said, though, there’s more to August than back to school time and scorching heat. Grab a nice, cold glass of sweet tea, find some air conditioning, and enjoy these fun facts about the eighth month of the year.
August has been dubbed the official month of several different things, including: Admit You Are Happy Month, Catfish Month, Family Fun Month, American Adventure Month, Sandwich Month, Peach Month, National Golf Month, and even Romance Awareness Month.
If there is fair weather on August 10, St. Lawrence Day, the folklore says that we will have a fair autumn.
Folklore also says for every fog we have in August, there will be a snow in the winter.
August is perfect for star-gazers, as the Perseid Meteor Shower happens throughout the month, peaking between the 11th and the 13th.
Famous birthdays in August include Barack Obama, Herman Melville, Hulk Hogan, Mila Kunis, Jennifer Lawrence, Ben Affleck, Madonna, Robert DeNiro, Peter O’Toole Cameron Diaz, Martha Stewart, Martin Sheen, Jeff Gordon, Deion Sanders and Halle Berry.
MTV was launched in August of 1981, the first video shown was “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles.
Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue in August of 1492, and the Mayflower left England in August of 1620 on its voyage to North America.
The famous Beetles album cover for “Abbey Road” was shot in August
Woodstock Music and Arts Festival opened on August 15, 1969
The Texas Rangers scored the most runs in MLB history when they defeated Baltimore 30-3 back in 2007.
August was also the month that Babe Ruth became the first member of the 500 home run club.
The first reported sighting of the Lock Ness Monster happened in August of 565.
The Lincoln Penny was issued in August.
The first atomic bomb was used in warfare and launched on Hiroshima, Japan in 1945.
Colorado became a state in August of 1876 and Hawaii was annexed by the United States in August of 1898.
Richard Nixon became the first U.S. President to resign from office.
Martin Luther King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech was given in August of 1963.
August is also in the top 1000 men’s names.
The month of August has been packed with many, many significant historical events, along with plenty of fun times. Don’t let the heat get you down, the coolness of fall will be here soon enough, and the winds of change will be upon us. Sweater weather is much closer than you think!
