Holidays and Observances in August

The month of August is often a calm and quiet time of year and the light list of celebrations reflects that stillness. It's a time to relax before the school year starts. But, there are plenty of days to celebrate time with your pets or summertime cuisine.

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 Day
• August 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 Day
• August 4: U.S. Coast Guard Birthday, National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day
• August 5: Work Like a Dog Day, National Oyster Day
• August 6: National Root Beer Float Day, Wiggle Your Toes Day, National Fresh Breath Day
• August 7: Sea Serpent Day, International Beer Day* (first Friday), National Lighthouse Day
• August 8: International Cat Day, National Bowling Day* (second Saturday)
• August 9: Book Lovers Day, National Women's Day
• August 10: Smithsonian Day, National Lazy Day, National Spoil Your Dog Day
• August 11: Play in the Sand Day, National Son and Daughter Day
• August 12: International Youth Day, National Middle Child Day
• August 13: International Left Handers Day
• August 14: National Financial Awareness Day
• August 15: National Failures Day, Chant at the Moon Day, International Homeless Animals' Day* (third Saturday), National Relaxation Day
• August 16: Tell a Joke Day, National Roller Coaster Day, National Rum Day
• August 17: National Black Cat Appreciation Day
• August 18: Helium Discovery Day, Bad Poetry Day, National Couple's Day, National Fajita Day
• August 19: World Photography Day, Orville Wright's Birthday, National Aviation Day, National Potato Day, World Humanitarian Day
• August 20: Virtual Worlds Day, National Lemonade Day, National Radio Day
• August 21: Poet's Day
• August 22: International Tongue Twister Day, National Senior Citizens Day, National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day, National Tooth Fairy Day
• August 23: Ride the Wind Day, National Sponge Cake Day
• August 24: Strange Music Day, Vesuvius Day, National Waffle Day
• August 25: National Banana Split Day, National Whiskey Sour Day, National Kiss and Make Up Day
• August 26: National Dog Day, National Women's Equality Day, National Cherry Popsicle Day
• August 27: National Just Because Day
• August 28: National Red Wine Day, National Bow Tie Day
• August 29: Individual Rights Day, National Chop Suey Day
• August 30: National Beach Day, National Grief Awareness Day, National Toasted Marshmallow Day
• August 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 Month
• Back to School Month
• Family Fun Month
• Family Meal Month
• Get Ready for Kindergarten Month
• Happiness Happens Month
• National Back To School Month
• National Eye Exam Month
• National Immunization Awareness Month
• National Inventors Month

*Denotes that date changes each year.