The name of the month was originally a Latin word, Sextilis. In 8th century BC, during the early Medieval period, the month was renamed to August in honor of Augustus Caesar, the first Roman emperor. Here are all the official and unofficial days of celebration that take place during the dog days of August.
August Daily Holidays and Observances
August 1: U.S. Air Force Day, National Girlfriends Day, National Mustard Day* (first Saturday), Respect for Parents Day, National Campfire Day* (first Saturday), National Mountain Climbing DayAugust 2: Dinosaurs Day, National Coloring Book Day, National Ice Cream Sandwich Day, National Sisters Day* (first Sunday), American Family Day* (first Sunday)August 3: National Watermelon DayAugust 4: U.S. Coast Guard Birthday, National Chocolate Chip Cookie DayAugust 5: Work Like a Dog Day, National Oyster DayAugust 6: National Root Beer Float Day, Wiggle Your Toes Day, National Fresh Breath DayAugust 7: Sea Serpent Day, International Beer Day* (first Friday), National Lighthouse DayAugust 8: International Cat Day, National Bowling Day* (second Saturday)August 9: Book Lovers Day, National Women’s DayAugust 10: Smithsonian Day, National Lazy Day, National Spoil Your Dog DayAugust 11: Play in the Sand Day, National Son and Daughter DayAugust 12: International Youth Day, National Middle Child DayAugust 13: International Left Handers DayAugust 14: National Financial Awareness DayAugust 15: National Failures Day, Chant at the Moon Day, International Homeless Animals’ Day* (third Saturday), National Relaxation DayAugust 16: Tell a Joke Day, National Roller Coaster Day, National Rum DayAugust 17: National Black Cat Appreciation DayAugust 18: Helium Discovery Day, Bad Poetry Day, National Couple’s Day, National Fajita DayAugust 19: World Photography Day, Orville Wright’s Birthday, National Aviation Day, National Potato Day, World Humanitarian DayAugust 20: Virtual Worlds Day, National Lemonade Day, National Radio DayAugust 21: Poet’s DayAugust 22: International Tongue Twister Day, National Senior Citizens Day, National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day, National Tooth Fairy DayAugust 23: Ride the Wind Day, National Sponge Cake DayAugust 24: Strange Music Day, Vesuvius Day, National Waffle DayAugust 25: National Banana Split Day, National Whiskey Sour Day, National Kiss and Make Up DayAugust 26: National Dog Day, National Women’s Equality Day, National Cherry Popsicle DayAugust 27: National Just Because DayAugust 28: National Red Wine Day, National Bow Tie DayAugust 29: Individual Rights Day, National Chop Suey DayAugust 30: National Beach Day, National Grief Awareness Day, National Toasted Marshmallow DayAugust 31: National Trail Mix Day, National Matchmaker Day
August Weekly Holidays and Observances
National Video Game Week (first week)National Simplify Your Life Week (first week)International Assistance Dog Week (first week)National Scrabble Week (first week)National Fraud Awareness Week (first week)International Clown Week (1-7)National Smile Week (second week)Exercise with Your Child Week (second week)Friendship Week (third week)Aviation Week (third week that includes August 19)Be Kind to Humankind Week (fourth week)
August Monthly Holidays and Observances
American Artist Appreciation MonthBack to School MonthFamily Fun MonthFamily Meal MonthGet Ready for Kindergarten MonthHappiness Happens MonthNational Back To School MonthNational Eye Exam MonthNational Immunization Awareness MonthNational Inventors Month
*Denotes that date changes each year.
