August is typically known as the hottest summer month – but what else do you know about this period and its weird history! It’s time to find out with these August facts! Discover what happened in August in history, which famous people were born then, why its name changed and even the weird superstitions August has created! And if you liked this, we’ve got tons more facts here! How about some epic Easter facts! Or perhaps you’re ready for some Simone Biles facts! We’ve even got these strange sports facts!

1. It’s Named After a Roman Emperor

August is named after the Roman Emperor Augustus. Augustus ruled from 27 BC to 14 AD, and is considered by many historians to be Rome’s greatest Emperor. It was named after Augustus because so many of his achievements and victories, such as the fall of Alexandria, happened around that time

2. But the Romans Called it Something Else

The Romans didn’t just skip from July to September before Augustus – they called it something else! Before it was renamed, August was known as Sextilis, and was actually the sixth month in the Roman calendar, not the eighth. And July wasn’t called July either! It was called Quintilis (the fifth month) until it was renamed in honour of Julius Caesar.

3. It’s the Hottest Month of the Year (In Some Places)

In the northern hemisphere, August is usually the hottest month of the year. Lots of school and work holidays take place in August – some countries take the whole month off! In the southern hemisphere, however, in places like New Zealand and Australia, August is the end of winter, and feels more like February! Brr!

4. It’s the Month of Harvest

August is traditionally a month of harvest, and many harvest thanksgivings take place around this time. In the UK it is sometimes still known as ‘Lammas Day’. Church services are held, and bread is baked using the newly harvested wheat.

5. August 17th is the First night of ‘Cat Nights’

You’ve heard of the Dog Days of summer, but have you heard of the Cat Nights of August? Cat nights traditionally started on August the 17th. According to an old Irish legend, witches could turn themselves into cats, but only eight times – on the ninth (on Aug 17th) they would remain in cat form (hence having ‘nine lives’). This is thought to be the reason why cats seem to yowl and fight more in August – they are all disgruntled witches! As well as this, August 8th is International Cat Day, and August 17th is Black Cat Appreciation Day!

6. There Are Some Weird Holidays Celebrated in August

As well as two cat based holidays, there are a number of odd events in the August calendar. In the USA, these include International Watermelon Day, Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, and National Respect For Parents Day! In the UK, Grotto Day or Oyster Day used to be celebrated on August 5th. On this day, in honour of St James, people would eat oysters and then build small shrines or grottos from the shells.

7. August’s Zodiac Signs Are Leo and Virgo

There are two star signs marked in August – Leo and Virgo. Virgo (Aug 23rd – Sept 22nd) is an earth sign, whilst Leo (July 23rd – Aug 22nd) is a fire sign. People born under these signs have quite different characteristics. Virgos are meant to be perfectionists who can be over critical but also intellectual. Leos, on the other hand, are attention seekers who love to be in the spotlight, and are full of energy.

8. There is A Myth About Its Length

August is 31 days long, and there used to be a historical rumour that this was because the Emperor Augustus wanted his month to be longer than July (Julius Caesar’s month). However, this is actually just a myth made up by a medieval writer! Sextilis also had 31 days!

9. Some Important Things Have Happened in August

August is not short of important historical events over the centuries. Among many others, these include the commencement of the Berlin Wall builind, mount Vesuivius erupting and destroying the Roman city of Pompeii, Civil Rights activist Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream speech in Washington, and Jamaica finally gaining independence from Britain. Can you think of any other important things that happened in August?

10. Birthdays

There also plenty of famous birthdays in August! These include film director Alfred Hitchcock, inventor Orville Wright, scientist Alexander Fleming and American president Barack Obama!

11. It’s A Good Month To See The Stars

We don’t mean celebs, we mean space! During August, the Perseid Meteor shower occurs, considered one of the best meteor showers to see all year! As fragments from the Swift-Tuttle comet enter the Earth’s atmosphere, they appear as dazzling showers of shooting stars!

12. It’s the Month of the Edinburgh International and Fringe Festival

The Edinburgh International Festival, founded in 1947 is one of the longest running in the world! The Fringe festival, which occurs at the same time, also runs for the whole of August, and is the biggest arts festival in the world – it has thousands of shows!

13. And the Eisteddfod in Wales

In Wales August is a time for the National Eisteddfod of Wales, an arts festival which has its roots in ancient Welsh bardic traditions. Thousands gather to watch performances of dance, poetry and song, and its considered one of the biggest of its kind in Europe!

14. No Other Month Begins on the Same Day (Usually)

Curiously, August is the only month of every year which will begin on a day that no other month does. In 2025, it will be a Friday! This is except for leap years, which muddle things up a bit!

15. It’s Also Known as ‘Weed Month’

In the UK in Anglo Saxon times, August was also traditionally known as ‘Weed Month’ or Wēodmōnaþ. This was because it was the month when weeds grew the most! The clue is in the name!