July. The time of the year when getting to work leaves me looking like a lobster having a bad hair day. Whether it’s the sticky train or bus ride, the packed car pool or the bicycle, the heat just doesn’t seem to get away.
But if you’re struggling with the soaring temperatures already this summer, there is a silver lining. It’s National Ice Cream Month, National Hot Dog Month AND National Anti-Boredom Month. So, if you like eating chocolate ice cream with frankfurters while juggling, this is your time to shine.
American Independence Day is also coming up on the 4th of July, which means our friends in the USA will be preparing the barbecues, fireworks and working on their best rendition of ‘Star Spangled Banner.’
People with the star signs Leo and Cancer will also be celebrating as some have their birthdays this month. If you’re interested in discovering the traits of being a Leo or a Cancer, you can read more about that here.
Where does “July” come from?
July was named after the great emperor Julius Caesar in 46BC. Probably the most famous Roman of all, Julius is believed to have been born on the 12th or 13th of the month that later came to be named after him.
Imagine being so influential that a month is named after you. Perhaps if I play my cards right, I could have a month named after me….. Joe-ly?
Before Caesar, July was called Quintilis, meaning the fifth month. This was because the months of the year used to be in a completely different order. When the Gregorian calendar was introduced in 1582, January and February were placed at the beginning of the year moving July to the 7th month.
July calling
In the short time that modern humans have existed, we’ve managed to get an awful lot done. We’ve domesticated animals, mastered agriculture, discovered fire, explored (almost) every pocket of land on the planet and created language, medicine and football. Not bad at all!
Many people believe that the next chapter in the story of humanity will be written in the stars, as we continue to explore the great expanse of our galaxy. Who knows, perhaps one day we might think nothing of settling other planets.
Whatever happens, mankind’s future in space came a “small step” closer on the 20th of July, 1969.
On this day, after 240,000 miles and 76 hours in the air, the first ever manned spacecraft represented by astronauts Neil Armstrong and pilot Buzz Aldrin, landed on the moon. Armstrong and Aldrin, fully equipped in their thick space suits, exited the spacecraft slowly and made history as the first people to walk on the surface of the moon.
So after this “giant leap for mankind,” who knows what we might achieve in space in the future following in their footsteps….
Upcoming Curious July Events
If you aren’t an all conquering Roman emperor, a pioneer of space exploration, or getting ready to celebrate your birthday this month, never fear, there’s plenty of curious and fun days to look forward to.
Like July 24th, National Tequila Day. Get your shot glasses, lemons and your salt shakers at the ready. This is a day my friends where I live in Barcelona will definitely get behind. Olé!
Good luck for all of those optimists who have planned out their summer diets, as it’s National Junk Food Day on the 21st of July. But to balance it out, we’ve also got a favourite of Popeye’s, Fresh Spinach Day, on the 16th of July.
If you weren’t satisfied with those and fancy something a little more lavish, there’s also National Caviar Day on the 18th and National Daiquiri Day on the 19th. Laa dee da.
Lastly, Take Your Pants and Houseplants For A Walk Day on the 27th of July. Seriously, who thinks of these?
So there we have it for July, but there is just one more thing: make sure to take care in the sun – one lobster with a bad hair day is certainly enough.
