With the start of the new month it is once again time to look closer and learn a few things you may not know about our seventh month of the year. In the US our big holiday this month is the 4th of July, the day we commemorate when we declared our independence from Great Britain way back in 1776. As it turns out we are not alone in claiming our independence in July.
Here are some of the other countries that have obtained their independence in the month of July:
- Abkhazia – Independence from Georgia in 1993
- Algeria – Independence from France in 1962
- Argentina – Independence from the Spanish Empire in 1816
- Bahamas – Independence from the United Kingdom in 1973
- Belarus – Independence from several years of German occupation in 1944
- Belgium – Independence from Netherlands in 1831
- Burundi – Independence from Belgium in 1962
- Cape Verde – Independence from Portugal in 1975
- Colombia – Independence from Spain in 1810
- Djibouti – Independence from France in 1977
- Laos – Independence from France in 1949
- Liberia – Independence from the United States in 1847
- Malawi – Independence from the United Kingdom in 1964
- Maldives – Independence from the United Kingdom in 1965
- Peru – Independence from Spain in 1821
- Rwanda – Independence from Belgium in 1962
- Sao Tome and Principe – Independence from Portugal in 1975
- Slovakia – Declaration of Independence in 1992
- Solomon Islands – Independence from the United Kingdom in 1978
- Somalia – Independence from Italy in 1960
- South Sudan – Independence from Sudan in 2011
- Vanuatu – Independence from the United Kingdom and France in 1980
- Venezuela – Declaration of Independence from Spain in 1811
Apart from the Independence Day celebrations that take place this month, July is also:
- National Blueberry Month
- National Anti-Boredom Month – This is not a good idea. Whoever came up with the idea of putting Anti-Boredom Month during the same month what state laws towards the purchase of and use of fireworks becomes quite lenient clearly didn’t think this one through. This might also explain why some of my neighbors have been lighting off fireworks every night this past weekend, once the sun goes down they get bored and want to blow something up.
- National Cell Phone Courtesy Month – I appreciate this one, unless that means we need to be more courteous towards people on their cell phone, but I’m guessing that isn’t the case.
- National Hot Dog Month – Of course since the 4th of July is the biggest barbeque day of the year it’s not surprising that the month is dedicated to the consumption of these vile icons of America’s gift to the culinary world.
- National Ice Cream Month – This one makes sense, especially considering how warm it is lately. I’m not a big fan of ice cream, but over the past week I have consumed ice cream on three separate occasions.
I did want to add one more celebration to this month. It’s not an official or nationally observed holiday, but in my experience July is also Family Reunion Month. I’ve already attended one family reunion this month and most of my friends seem to have one scheduled sometime this month as well.
When it comes to week long celebrations apparently the second week in July (so starting today) is Nude Recreation Week. My recommendation, find yourself a hammock, preferable in someplace secluded (no point in being the reason for your neighbors start going to therapy), and spend an hour or two relaxing in the hammock while in the buff. Don’t forget the sunscreen!
As for special days in the month of July, I managed to find 50+ different day celebrations. Today happens to be National Sugar Cookie Day, which I’ll be skipping. I’m not really a fan of sugar cookies. As for the rest of the days, for the sake of avoiding a ridiculously long list, I’ll highlight just a few of my favorites:
- July 1 – Build a Scarecrow Day (which is the first Sunday of the month) and International Joke Day. – Sadly, I’m not sure I know any international jokes . . . unless of course you want to talk about America’s foreign policies over the last decade.
- July 2 – I Forgot Day and World UFO Day – I was a little bummed about missing World UFO Day, but when I realized it was also I Forgot Day, I didn’t feel too bad about it anymore.
- July 8 – Video Games Day – Check (and didn’t even know I was supposed to play video games this past Sunday). Yeah, I rock.
- July 11 – Cheer Up the Lonely Day and World Population Day – Doesn’t having those two on the same day seem to imply that the recommended way of cheering up the lonely is an activity that could result in world population. I recommend just giving them a plate of cookies and asking them how their day is.
- July 13 – Barbershop Music Appreciation Day – In a word, YES!
- July 20 – Moon Day – I think it’s important to mention that this is in reference to the Moon that orbits the Earth and not the youthful or more commonly drunk frat guy activity that insists that flashing people the quick view of your bare derriere is the epitome of comedic genius.
- July 27 – Take Your Pants for a Walk Day – I’m going to borrow my sister’s stroller on this day. That way I can just put all my pants in the seat and take all of them for a walk in one go.
Well, that’s it for my highlight of a few July Holidays. I hope you found a smirk getting a little more awareness about this month, and maybe, apart from grilling hotdogs and eating ice cream, you’ll get a little more out of this month than you have in years past. Cheers, and a Happy July to you all.
Image Sources:
Google Images, keywords: July, anti-boredom month, feet in a hammock, and barbershop music.
Copyright © 2012 Richard Timothy