by Playrific
Each month we look for special events, holidays and celebrations as well as seasonal items to feature at Playrific. We’ll often highlight and celebrate the birthday of a someone in children’s literature. If we miss a birthday, we may wish the author or character(s) a Happy Belated Birthday.
August is jam packed with notable events. Although we are not, unfortunately celebrating Ice Cream Day again, we will celebrate Ice Cream Sandwich Day. Some of the events are listed below. Be sure to check back to see others we’ve found and for links to media that relates to the events.
Birthdays this month include:
- Aug 1: Francis Scott Key, author of the “Star Spangled Banner,” the US national anthem (1779)
- Aug 5: Neil Armstrong’s Birthday – 1930
- Aug 6: Alfred Lord Tennyson – 1809
- Aug 6: Odie (Garfield’s best friend)
- Aug 9: Betty Boop (1930)
We found a biography of Betty Boop at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Aug 10: Herbert Hoover
- Aug 11 : Hulk Hogan
- Aug 13 : Annie Oakley (1860)
- Aug 15: Julia Child
- Aug 17: Davy Crockett
- Aug 19: Bill Clinton
- Aug 19: Mr. Snuffleupagus
- Aug 19: Orville Wright – 1871
- Aug 21: Wilt Chamberlain
- Aug 27: Mother Teresa 1910
- Aug 29: Speedy Gonzales’ Birthday
- Aug 30: Herry Monster
- Aug 31: Alan Jay Lerner
Other events:
- MTV debuted on August 1, 1981. Happy Birthday MTV!
- Aug 2, celebrate National Ice Cream Sandwich Day and Chocolate Chip Cookie Day on the 4th.
- Aug 3: Columbus Set Sail on his 1st voyage – 1492
- Aug 23: First Photograph of Earth From the Moon – 1966
Birthday Celebrations Around Us Currently Featured General Science Silly (?) Holidays Space
by Playrific
It seems so long ago to those who watched it all unfold on TV. After a successful launch July 17th, Apollo 11 landed on the moon on July 20, 1969. Apollo 11 touched down at 20:18 UTC (5:18 PM Eastern) and Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first astronauts to land on the Moon. Six hours later, Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon. Although a member of the mission crew, Michael Collins stayed aboard the orbiting Command Module to await the return of the Lunar Landing module for the trip home.
NASA restored the the footage of the lift off, moon landing, first steps and takeoff (back to earth!). The landing was emotional – exciting, awe inspiring and mesmerizing. Take a look through history’s camera at the Apollo 11 moon landing.
Playrific brings historic and current footage and media of space-related events of interest to adults and kids of all ages to one site.
Celebrations Around Us Currently Featured Events Science Space
by Playrific
Ramadan (Arabic: رمضان) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and the month in which the Qur’an was revealed.
Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The month is spent by Muslims fasting during the daylight hours from dawn to sunset. Muslims believe that the Qur’an was sent down to the lowest heaven during this month, thus being prepared for gradual revelation by the Angel Jibraeel (Gabriel) to the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Furthermore, Muhammad told his followers that the gates of Heaven would be open all the month and the gates of Hell (Jahannum) would be closed. The first three days of the next month, Shawwal, is spent in celebrations and is observed as the “Festival of Breaking Fast” or “Eid ul-Fitr”. (Source: Wikipedia)
Ramadan is not always in July or even during the summer. The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, and months begin when the first crescent of a new moon is sighted. Since the Islamic lunar calendar year is 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar year, Ramadan migrates throughout the seasons. The Islamic day starts after sunset. In 2012, Ramadan is expected to begin on July 19 or 20.
Celebrations Around Us Events
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July, when the “Dog Days” start, is a month full of celebrations in the US. Here’s a short list of the month-long celebrations:
- National Picnic Month
- National Hot Dog Month
- National Baked Bean Month
- National Blueberry Month
- National Ice Cream Month
- National Recreation Month
- Anti-Boredom Month
All of these celebrations are meant to help bring you and your family out of the air conditioning and away from the electronics to have fun and relieve the boredom that afflicts kids after only a few short weeks of summer vacation.
A great idea for breaking up the “dog days” doldrums: pack your picnic basket and go out to a local park. If it’s within easy reach, visit one of your state or national parks. If they’ve got grills available (be sure to check ahead), bring along some hot dogs for grilling. Don’t forget plenty of liquids.
Celebrations Around Us Currently Featured Fun things to do at a party General Silly (?) Holidays Summer Things to do
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Great Teachers Make Great Public Schools
On National Teacher Day, thousands of communities take time to honor their local educators and acknowledge the crucial role teachers play in making sure every student receives a quality education.
On National Teacher Day, thousands of students will thank their teachers for helping them learn about the world around them as well as learning to love reading, science, math and writing.
Thank you to Teachers with Tayla
Celebrations Around Us Currently Featured Teachers
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Tomorrow is Cinco De Mayo, the 5th of May on the calendar.
Cinco de Mayo is annually observed on May 5, the anniversary of a victory in 1862 in the fight for independence from French forces. It is a festival of Mexican pride and heritage in the United States.
Sesame Street Celebrates Cinco De Mayo
Celebrations Around Us
