Summer is moving along quite nicely it seems and, although many people might think this month peaked with the long weekend, think again. August is most certainly a fantastic month, worthy of celebration throughout its entire 31 days.
Of course, Aug. 11 marks the beginning of a season for fasting and refraining for members of the second largest organized religion on Earth. Muslims everywhere (including Moose Jaw) will be recognizing the ninth month on the Islamic calendar with the annual tradition of Ramadan.
A time for building patience, modesty and spirituality, Ramadan moves back about 10 days every year, because the month is based entirely on a lunar calendar, which doesn’t stay constant to a solar calendar.
For those who do enjoy our solar-based Gregorian calendar, “August” is the eighth month of the year and is named after the first ruler of the Roman Empire (Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus), who was posthumously adopted by everyone’s favourite Roman, Julius Caesar (who died March 15, 44 BCE). Augustus actually died during his own month, on Aug. 19, 14 CE.
While the man for whom the month was named might have died in August, a great deal of notables celebrate birthdays on this month as well.
For example, Annie Oakley turns 149 on Aug. 13, while Halle Berry turns 43 on Aug. 14. Robert Redford turns 73 on Aug. 18, while Richard Haydu turned 62 on Aug. 2. Davy Crockett turns 223 on Aug. 17.
Not just a time for Ramadan and Dad’s birthday, August has other little special events worthy of column recognition as well. Most people by now are likely aware (since it has just past) the first Monday in August is a civic holiday in several provinces and territories, including Saskatchewan.
Aside from that, Aug. 9 is National Peacekeepers' Day, which honours and remembers all Canadian peacekeepers who have served or who are currently serving in peacekeeping operations around the world.
Aug. 15 is National Acadian Day, which celebrates Acadian people, their culture and contribution to the overall fabric of Canadian society.
Fortunately or unfortunately (depending on who you ask), August is also the month school starts up again for another year. At Prairie South School Division, the first day of class is on Aug. 25. For Holy Trinity Roman Catholic School Division students, classes begin Aug. 30, except for Vanier Collegiate students who return a bit earlier than most, on Aug. 18.
August birthstone is either the peridot or onyx and the birth flower is either the gladiolus or poppy.
Most importantly about August, this month of Leo and Virgo really is the final month of the year Canadians can expect extended periods of uninterrupted nice weather. It seems, on the prairies at least, once September hits the frost and snow could surprise us at any moment.
With that in mind, lets all desperately enjoy these fleeting days of summer. For anyone registering at university for the first time at the end of the month, I wish you good luck. Wear flip-flops in the dorm shower, don’t get a credit card and try to at least occasionally drink a little water now and then.
. . . Oh yeah! Also, study.
