Happy August 2nd!
August 2nd is a special holiday. In fact, every day’s a holiday for someone and for some reason.
Although we may not know the origins of many of these holidays, avid celebrants will participate eagerly in marking August 2nd as a most special day for so many different reasons.
Here are several of the most popular holidays celebrated on August 2nd (arranged alphabetically):
Dinosaurs Day
Are you terrified of a tyrannosaurus? Do you find the diplodocus somewhat duplicitous? Or are you enraptured by the sight of a raptor?
August 2nd is the holiday for you. Dinosaur enthusiasts dig up bones and dig through drawings of prehistoric creatures on this historical holiday.
Carnivores, herbivores, omnivores – all out of doors! Be on the alert for purple dinosaurs (and dinosaurs of every hue) on August 2nd. It’s Dinosaurs Day.
Oh, and by the way. Last time we checked, dinosaurs were extinct.
Still, dinosaur lovers may enjoy viewing movies about these massive prehistoric animals. Here are a few dinosaur films from which to choose on Dinosaurs Day: Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend, Dinosaur, The Flintstones, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Jurassic Park, King Kong, The Land Before Time, Land of the Lost, The Land That Time Forgot and We’re Back – A Dinosaur’s Story.
Gymnastics Day
How’s your handspring these days? Can you do a cartwheel? August 2nd is Gymnastics Day.
In 2003, an official proclamation by Alabama State Governor Bob Riley declared August 2nd to be National Gymnastics Day in the United States.
Part of the purpose of National Gymnastics Day has been to raise awareness (and funding) for the Children’s Miracle Network, benefiting hospitalized children and youngsters facing various diseases, illnesses and other challenges.
At the same time, Gymnastics Day is a fitness occasion, when gyms may offer free demonstrations and discount classes.
Have you ever wanted to learn to do flips on the uneven bars, vault over the pommel horse, dance down the balance beam or hold a perfect iron cross on the suspended rings? August 2nd is your chance – Gymnastics Day.
Ice Cream Sandwich Day
Yummy! Creamy ice cream, tucked inside two crunchy chocolate wafers – can anything beat a delicious ice cream sandwich on a hot summer day?
August 2nd is Ice Cream Sandwich Day. Can you hear the jingle-jangle of the ice cream vendor’s truck, making its way along the beach, through the public park or into your neighborhood? Since the early 1900s, ice cream sandwiches have tempted and delighted frozen dairy treat lovers.
Ice cream sandwiches may contain chocolate, mint, strawberry or the perennial classic vanilla ice cream. Whatever flavor they may contain, ice cream sandwiches are the order of the day on August 2nd.
Special Saints Days (Various)
The Calendar of the Saints lists the following for August 2nd: Auspicius of Apt, Betharius of Chartres, Etheldritha, Eusebius of Vercelli, Gundechar, Maximus of Padua, Our Lady of the Angels, Peter Julian Eymund, Peter of Osma, Plegmund, Rutilius, Sidwell, Stephen I, Theodota and Thomas of Dover.
Notable Anniversaries on August 2nd:
The official signing of the American Declaration of Independence took place on August 2, 1776.
On August 2, 1862, the United States Congress passed the first U.S. federal income tax.
Author Lewis Carroll published his classic fantasy fiction work, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, on August 2, 1865.
Various Other August 2nd Holidays
August 2nd is also Colorado Day, Day of the Water Nymphs (Macedonia), Dryads Wood and Water Gods Day (Greek), Emancipation Day (St. Kits and Nevis), Fairies’ Charity Money Distribution Holiday, Festival of Imbolc, Friendship Day, Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle Day, Guyana Freedom Day, Harriet Quimby Aviator Day, Ilindan Holiday (Boznia-Herzegovina and Macedonia), Jamaican Independence Day, Macedonian National Day, Nuestra Senora de los Angeles – Feast of Our Lady of Angels (Costa Rica), Saint Ilija Day (Serbia), Sinjks Alka – Spear Throwing Tournament Holiday (Yugoslavia), Sisters Day (varies), St. Elias’ Feast Day (Macedonia), St. Eusebius of Vercelli’s Day, St. Stephen I Feast Day, Twins Festival Day (Ohio), Virgin of the Angels Holiday (Costa Rica) and Youth Day (Zambia).
Happy August 2ndto one and all!
Other Notable Holidays:
Click here to check other calendar dates for notable holidays and additional holiday content from this author.
(Note: Annually, some dates may fluctuate to accommodate weekends and local calendars.)
Sources:
http://halife.com/daily/trivia.html
http://halife.com/religion/ch04.html
http://holidayinsights.com
http://saints.sqpn.com/month00.htm
http://www.brainyhistory.com/events.html
http://www.brookston.org/almanac
http://www.earthcalendar.net
http://www.everythingpreschool.com/holidays
http://www.holidays.net/dailys.htm
http://www.holidaysforeveryday.com
http://www.kidsturncentral.com/holidays
http://www.partyguideonline.com/months
