August Birthday Facts and Trivia

The late summer months all seem to be in honor of Roman rulers with July named after Julius Caesar and August named after his great-nephew Julius Caesar Augustus, but his friends called him Octavius (confused yet?). Actually, Julius Caesar Augustus was born Gaius Octavius Thurinus and was adopted posthumously by the first Julius in 44 BC. It was the Senate in 27 BC that gave him the name Augustus, which means "the revered one." All this name calling must have irked those who were naming the months at that time because the rest of the year, September through December, all follow a numerical theme with no honorees!August Birthstone: Peridot

• A gorgeous gem, Peridot, has a yellow-greenish color with a translucent quality and has been touted as bringing those who wear the stone good luck, peace, and success. Many get tripped up by the name Peridot not knowing if the "t" at the end is silent, but the pronunciation with the "t" or without it, "per-i-doh," both seem to be correct!
  

• Many believe that the origin of the gemstone's name comes from the French word "peritot" which means "unclear." The French are on record as the first to call the stone Peridot as before then, most referred to it as Topaz. Because of its almost day-glow appearance, early miners worked at night to find the stone because they believed moonlight to be the best source for illuminating the gem.

August Zodiac Signs: Leo and Virgo

• The two Zodiac signs for the month of August are Leo (July 22-August 23) and Virgo (August 24 to September 24).

• Leo the lion! This fire sign of the Zodiac is indeed symbolized by the lion and those born under it seem to embody the animal with personality traits that include a courageous side with some creativity mixed in and at times a pompous attitude.

• The earth sign, Virgo, is symbolized by a virgin, and many believe the that those born under the sign are virtuous along with itelligent and upstanding citizens. Here are a couple Virgos and I invite you to decide if they fit that description: Mother Theresa and Michael Jackson. And on that note...

• Zodiac signs and characteristics associated with them can mean everything or nothing depending on how you take it in. In my opinion, we live here on earth and not in the stars!

August Fun Facts:

• On August 1, 1774 a man named Joseph Preistley discovered oxygen in the Bowood House laboratory in Wiltshire, England.

• On August 12, 1908 the Model T Ford, a.k.a. the Tin Lizzie, went on sale as the first mass-produced car.

• Hawaii became the 50th state of the USA on August 21, 1959.

• Missouri, Colorado, and Hawaii all celebrate their Statehood Days in August.

• A celebration of suds, International Beer Day is on August 5th.

• The August birth flower is the gladiolus or poppy which signifys a strong character, and a penchant for marriage and family life.

Please feel to leave an August fact as a comment on this article!