August is the eighth month of the year, and for many people, it marks the height and the end of the school holidays.

It's also likely to be the time of year when most people go away on sunny holidays!

But more than just being a hot month for holidaying, what else is there about August you might find fascinating?

Let's take a look at the origins of August, the traditions we celebrate during it, as well as some fun little facts to bring it all together!

1.
August was originally named "Sextilis", which means the sixth month.
It wasn't until around 700BC that August was rudely shoved back in the order of months when January and February were added to the beginning of the year by King Numa Pompilius.

2.
In the ten-month Roman calendar, the months all had either 30 or 31 days, totaling 304 days in the year. Not only did Pompilius add January and February to the calendar, but he also reduced the number of days in August down to 29.
It wasn't until Julius Caesar introduced the Julian calendar that it was left with 31 days, and it's stayed the same ever since!

3.
In 8 BC the month was named Augustus, in honor of the Roman emperor Augustus.

4.
The Anglo-Saxons called it Weod monath. Its translation of "weed month" is quite literal – in this month weeds and other plants grow most rapidly.

5.
In a standard year, there is no other month that begins on the same day of the week as August. In a leap year, however, August begins on the same day of the week as February.

6.
Those born in August are brought into this world under one of two star signs.
If you were born before August 22nd, you're considered to be a Leo.
If you're born on the 23rd or later, you're a Virgo.
Leos are said to be very proud people who display great leadership. Virgos, on the other hand, are analytical and hardworking people, while still being kind and loyal.

7.
August also has two birth flowers – the vibrant multicolored gladiolus and the deep crimson poppy.
The gladiolus flower is said to represent generosity, strength of character, and deep sincerity.
The poppy flower couldn't be more different though, as it is a sign of imagination, eternal sleep, and oblivion!

8.
August has three birthstones: sardonyx, spinel, and peridot.

9.
In the northern hemisphere, August is considered to be the last month of summer.
In the southern hemisphere, it's the opposite of course, so it's the last of the winter months!

10.
August 1 is known as Lammas, or Lughnasadh (it's February 1, if you're in the Southern Hemisphere).
This is a day to celebrate the beginnings of the harvest, when the grain and corn is gathered. It's also a time, in some traditions, of honoring Lugh, the Celtic craftsman god.

11.
There are some pretty fascinating holidays spread throughout August which are celebrated in different parts of the world.
On August 1^st, we have World Scout Scarf Day, as well as the Official Birthday and Coronation of the King of Tonga.
August 5^th is National Underwear Day (US).
August 11^th is Mountain Day (Japan).
August 16^th is National Rum Day (US).
August 20^th is World Mosquito Day.
Many countries in Europe see August as a holiday period.

12.
August was a big month for the U.S. Civil Rights Movement.
I Have a Dream, speech by Martin Luther King, Jr., that was delivered on August 28, 1963, during the March on Washington.

13.
On August 6, 1762, the first-ever sandwich was created.
The first recorded sandwich was made for John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, who as a compulsive gambler didn’t want to take too long from his card game to eat dinner.

14.
On August 24, 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted and destroyed the city of Pompeii. This eruption was one of the most catastrophic in history, burying the entire city under a thick layer of ash and rock.

15.
On Aug. 16, 1977, Elvis Presley died at the age of 42 at his Graceland home.

16.
In August the US celebrates National Goat Cheese Month, National Panini Month, Peach Month, and Sandwich Month.

17.
August is apparently a relatively common name for boys in Sweden.

18.
There are many incredibly famous and important people who have been born in August. Some of the more influential include Barack Obama, Usain Bolt, Sean Connery, Jennifer Lawrence, and Whitney Houston.

Also Read: 18 Interesting Facts About September

Sources
Project Britain / Wikipedia / Almanac / Talk