Document Asset | August Factoids

August 1-31

Visit the Knowitall blog for helpful information on using Knowitall all through the month!

August Observances (Day):

Click on a number below.

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1

Benjamin Mays

On August 1, 1894 Benjamin Mays was born. He was a minister, educator, scholar and social activist. He was known as the "The Father of the Civil Rights Movement" (Road Trip)

August 2 is National Coloring Book Day which encourages children and adults alike to take the day to relax by coloring in coloring books. Typically, coloring books are an activity to keep children creative, however recently, adults have used coloring books for therapeutic purposes. This holiday invites people to access their creativity while relaxing and escaping from everyday life.

Download and print the Knowitall Coloring Pages.

3

Christopher Columbus

On August 3, 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail with the three ships Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria, from Palos, Spain. Columbus sought a route to the far east, but instead landed in the Bahamas on October 12. (South Carolina Focus)

4

Louis Armstrong

On August 4, 1901 Louis Armstrong was born. Armstrong is recognized as one of the world's greatest jazz coronet and trumpet players. (Artopia)

6

First Atomic Bomb

On August 6, 1945, during World War II, the first atomic bomb (named "Little Boy") was dropped by the B-29 bomber "Enola Gay", on the city of Hiroshima, Japan. A few days later on August 9, a second atomic bomb (named "Fat Man") was dropped by B-29 bomber "Bockscar" over the city of Nagasaki. The dropping of the atomic bombs was the main cause for Japan's surrender, and the end of the second world war. (South Carolinians In WWII)

Purple Heart Day

Purple Hearts are medals awarded to U.S. military service members wounded or killed in enemy action. They represent individuals who sacrifice themselves in the name of active duty for the U.S., and the holiday is to ensure that we remember and celebrate them and their sacrifices.

Visit our Memorial Day Collection

7

National Lighthouse Day

National Lighthouse Day honors the beacon of light that for hundreds of years symbolized safety and security for ships and boats at sea. It is observed annually on August 7.

9

Book Lovers Day

August 9 is Book Lovers Day, an unofficial holiday that encourages people to pick up a book (or two) and spend the day reading. Be sure to visit our Libraries, Literature and Learning Collection for more information!

Indigenous People’s Day (Native American Day)*

A day to recognize Native people as the first inhabitants of the Americas, and to observe their history.

Visit our Native American Heritage Collection!

12

International Youth Day

International Youth Day seeks to raise awareness to the cultural and legal issues faced by youth throughout the world. The United Nations defines youth as people between the ages of 15 and 24 years. In 1995, the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) adopted the World Programme of Action for Youth, focusing on 15 priority areas including education, employment, hunger and poverty, health, environment and drug abuse. Since its inception on August 12, 2000, International Youth Day has served to increase the quality and quantity of opportunities available to the youth.

14

Navajo Code Talkers Day

Navajo Code Talkers Day was established by President Ronald Reagan on August 14, 1982 to honor the contributions of Navajo servicemen who served as "Code Talkers" in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. Code Talker is the term given to American Indians who used their tribal languages to send secret coded communications on the battlefield. Being a Code Talker was an especially dangerous job in the Pacific Theater since Japanese forces were ordered to specifically target officers, medics, and radiomen. The Navajo Code remains the only military code in modern history to never be broken by an enemy.

15

16

Battle of Camden

On August 16, 1780 General Horatio Gates' army joined by militia men from North Carolina and Virginia, marched south toward the British outpost in Camden, South Carolina. This battle become known as the Battle of Camden. (Southern Campaign Of The American Revolution)

17

Fredrick Bailey Dent

On August 17, 1922 Fredrick Bailey Dent was born. He was inducted to South Carolina Business Hall of Fame in 1994. He was among the founders of Spartanburg Day School and is a life trustee emeritus. (Legacy Of Leadership Interview)

19

National Aviation Day

National Aviation Day commemorates the development of aviation while seeking to promote and support the industry. In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed that National Aviation Day would be observed annually on August 19, the birthday of Orville Wright.

World Humanitarian Day

World Humanitarian Day seeks to recognize the compassion and bravery of humanitarian workers. Designated by the United Nations in December of 2008 to honor the sacrifices of humanitarian workers, it is celebrated annually on August 19, a day that commemorates the 2003 bombing of the UN Headquarters in Iraq.

20

Martha Rivers Ingram

On August 20, 1935 Martha Rivers Ingram was born. She is the first living woman and first daughter of a laureate to be inducted into South Carolina Business Hall of Fame. (Legacy Of Leadership Profile)

21

International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism

The International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism was established by the U.N. General Assembly to honor and support the victims and survivors of terrorism and to promote and protect the full enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms. It is observed annually on August 21. The Resolution builds on existing efforts by the General Assembly, the Commission of Human Rights and the Human Rights Council to promote and protect the rights of victims of terrorism.

Edwin Craig Wall Jr.

On August 21, 1937 Edwin Craig Wall Jr. was born. He was respected as one of the most successful business leaders in South Carolina. (Legacy Of Leadership Profile)

23

International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition

August 23, 1791 was the day of the uprising in Santo Domingo that started the chain of events that led to the abolition of the slave trade. The day is an official UNESCO holiday that promotes education of the slave trade and its implications as well as honors the people who facilitated its demise.

View the African American History Collection
View the Topic, Slavery in South Carolina

25

National Park Service Founders Day

View NatureScene for tours of South Carolina parks including Appalachian Cove, Bulls Island Natural Area, Cartwheel Bay, Congaree National Park, Forty Acre Rock, Jocassee Gorges, Lee State Park, Little Pee Dee River, Old Santee Canal Park, Peachtree Rock, Sandy Island, Sandy Point, Santee National Wildlife Refuge, Savannah River Site, and Sumter National Forest.

26

Women’s Equality Day & 19th Amendment

August 26 was designated as Women’s Equality Day to highlight the day in 1920 when the 19^th Amendment was passed to the Constitution that guaranteed women the franchise. View our Collection on the Women's Suffrage Movement!

View our Women in Leadership Collection.

National Dog Day

Annually celebrated on August 26 since 2004, National Dog Day is marked as the day its founder, Colleen Page, adopted her first dog. Each year, the holiday celebrates all kinds and breeds of dogs and to help remind the public that so many dogs need to be rescued from shelters or the streets. The day also encourages pet owners to learn more about their dogs’ health and well-being.

This is a perfect day to visit our Dog Lovers collection.

28

March on Washington

On August 28, 1963, The March on Washington occurred. As many as 250,000 people attended this famous civil rights rally in Washington, D.C. It was here where Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his famous "I Have A Dream" speech. (Periscope). View the section on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Periscope

National Bow Tie Day

This holiday is celebrated on the 28^th of August by encouraging people to wear bow ties for the day and embrace their historical elegance.

16-Year-Old Entrepreneur | Carolina Money

29

International Day Against Nuclear Tests

The United Nations declared August 29^th International Day Against Nuclear Tests to acknowledge the devastating effects on human life that the over 2,000 testing events have caused in the past 60 years. The UN uses this holiday to recognize the destruction that nuclear tests cause and to promote peace and security around the world.

Visit the Chernobyl Event Collection.

31

Charleston Earthquake

At 9:45 p.m on August 31, 1886, a major earthquake hit Charleston, South Carolina. 27 people were killed in the collapse of buildings and another 33 died later of injuries. View our collections on the natural disaster: