August is here, bringing with it the last waves of summer warmth and plenty of family time before the new school year begins. Although it might feel like summer is slipping away, there's still a fantastic array of holidays, special days, and exciting events to enjoy. So grab your shades and get ready to celebrate! Our August lineup is packed with opportunities for fun, laughter, and memorable moments with your kids. Ready to soak up every bit of summer? Let’s explore the perfect mix of play, learning, and joy to make the most of these sunny days!
Here are 10+ holidays and events for you and your family to celebrate, honor and remember in August
anyka via Canva |
National Night Out
August 6, 2024
National Night Out has been observed annually on the first Tuesday of August since 1984, to promote neighborhood camaraderie and police-community partnerships. Get ready to party with your neighbors and have a blast building a stronger, friendlier community.
- National Night Out Events in Conejo Valley - Malibu - Calabasas
- 👮 National Night Out🚔 Agoura HillsAugust 6, 2024
- 👮 National Night Out 🚔 Santa MonicaAugust 6, 2024
National Purple Heart Day
August 7
National Purple Heart Day, observed on August 7, is a significant occasion dedicated to honoring the brave men and women who have made incredible sacrifices for our country. This day serves as a reminder for Americans everywhere to recognize and appreciate the courage and dedication of those who have been wounded, killed, or taken as prisoners of war - 'POW' while serving in the United States Armed Forces. These heroes are awarded the Purple Heart, a military decoration symbolizing their bravery and sacrifice.
Honoring the Sacrifice
National Purple Heart Day is not just about remembering those who have received this prestigious award; it's also an opportunity to educate our children and communities about the true cost of freedom. It's a day to instill values of respect, gratitude, and remembrance, ensuring that the sacrifices of our service members are never forgotten. As we observe this day, let's take a moment to teach our children about the history and significance of the Purple Heart, encouraging them to honor and appreciate the freedoms we enjoy today.
The History of the Purple Heart
The Purple Heart has a rich history that dates back to the American Revolution. It was first established on August 7, 1782, by General George Washington, who was then the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. Originally called the Badge of Military Merit, it was awarded to three revolutionary soldiers in 1783 for their exceptional bravery and service. Over the years, the Purple Heart has become one of the most recognized and respected military honors, symbolizing the sacrifices made by our nation's heroes.
Learn more about the Purple Heart:
- The Purple Heart Foundation
- National Purple Heart Honor Mission
- History of the Purple Heart
- The Purple Heart – The Story of America’s Oldest Military Decoration and Some Soldier Recipients
- 9 Things You Need to Know About the Purple Heart Medal
- Many Veteran Women may be long overdue a Purple Heart Medal!
- Annie Fox and the case of the disappearing Purple Heart
- 3 Stories of Bravery that Help Show What a Purple Heart Means
- Stories of Valor
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National S'mores Day
August 10
Want s’more? You can celebrate with the ooey-gooey deliciousness of s'mores galore s'more on August 10th, or any-day for that matter. . . I can almost taste the chocolaty, melty marshmallow and crunchy graham crackers all smooshed together, mmm. I still remember my first s'more, it was on a Girl Scout camping trip and I though they were the most amazing creation ever. For years I thought they were exclusively a Girl Scout thing, but now they are everywhere, even in fancy restaurants. Turns out s'mores were one of the main reason my son wanted to be a Cub Scout plus go camping. We even had a virtual campout and made them at home on the stove - where there's a will . . . there's a way! We’ve got s'more takes on this ooey, gooey, delicious summertime treat for you.
Learn more: History of the S’more
Make s'mores with your kids:
- How to Build a DIY Solar Oven for Delicious Sun-Baked S'mores
- Check out this idea for a s'mores buffet to help you find your favorite combination!
- At home mini s'mores fun
- S'more Cones Kids will Love
- S’more Treats – No Campfire Required!
- Grill Up the Ultimate Summer Treat: S'mores Pizza
International Left Handers Day
August 13
If you're a lefty this is your day to celebrate. I'm going to give a shout out to all the lefties I know, and there are many! As a right handed person I often don't realize the extra challenges those who are left handed face, can you say "scissors" or ink smears?
Learn more:
Resources for Left Handers:
- Lefty's - The Left Hand Store: Gifts, kitchen tools, school supplies, scissors and fun
- Lefthandedchildren.org: Help for Left Handed children, their parents and teachers
- The OT Toolbox: Left Handed Writing Tips
National Navajo Code Talkers Day
August 14
Navajo Code Talkers Day recognizes the contributions of Navajo marines during World War II. Navajo marines encoded and transmitted messages using a complex Navajo language-based code during a time when secret communication was essential to win a war. Navajo was a near ‘perfect’ language that was used to create military codes. This is why it has been recorded in history and is recognized for its brilliance even today. However, the code wasn’t the language itself but was a communication form that was encrypted using the Navajo language. Since many people couldn’t decipher it, the code remained unbreakable throughout the war. It is this success of the code that is celebrated by Americans every year.
The U.S. government recruited over 400 Navajo men to serve during the war. The Navajo Code Talkers successfully transmitted more than 800 messages without error and helped the U.S. win the war. In 1982, Navajo Code Talkers Day was established through a presidential proclamation 4954 by President Ronald Reagan. In 2014, Arizona passed legislation declaring every August 14 Navajo Code Talkers Day in Arizona.
🎦 There was a great movie about the Navajo Code Talkers during WWII: Windtalkers, 2002 - Rated R. It might not be appropriate for your kids.
On this day, celebrate the great American heroes and their service to the nation!
Learn more about the Navajo Code Talkers:
- How Navajo Code Talker Marines Used Their Indigenous Language to Help Win World War II
- CIA Stories: Navajo Code Talkers and the Unbreakable Code
- Navajo Code Talkers World War II Fact Sheet
- National Archives: The Unwritten Record - Navajo Code Talkers
- Veteran. com: Navajo Code Talkers Day
Science Photo Library via Canva |
Pluto Demoted Day
August 24
This day commemorates August 24, 2006 when it was announced that poor Pluto had been demoted. Pluto's status was downgraded from a full sized planet to a dwarf planet by the International Astronomical Union. Sorry, but no matter I will always think of Pluto as a full planet, demotion or not - go Pluto!
Pluto, you'll always be in our hearts! Explore space together and check out the jaw-dropping pics from the James Webb Space Telescope. Space-tastic!
Learn more about Pluto:
- This date in science: Pluto gets a demotion
- The Rise and Fall of Planet Pluto
- Pluto and the Developing Landscape of Our Solar System
- Pluto: Everything you need to know about the dwarf planet
- NASA: 10 Need-to-Know Things About Pluto and more
- Pluto Facts
Got kids interested in space?
What a perfect time to pique your kids' interest in space with the James Webb Space Telescope sending back unbelievable pictures: Follow the telescope and its latest images on NASA's site.
Local places to go with your kids to learn more about planets:
- Griffith Observatory - Los Angeles
- California Science center - Los Angeles
- Star Parties with Ventura County Astronomical Society - events open to the community
RealCreation from Getty Images Signature |
Rainbow Baby Day
August 22
A rainbow baby is the child that comes after a loss from miscarriage, infant loss, stillbirth, or neonatal death. This is a day to remember and honor those little ones that are no longer with us while celebrating the ones that came after . . . like a rainbow after the storm.
Some families consider them ‘miracle’ babies due to the powerful impact they can have on helping parents heal after a loss. However, rainbow pregnancies can also be emotionally complex and involve feelings of grief and guilt along with relief and excitement. You might be surprised at just how many rainbow babies there are. Many women who suffer a loss, especially an early loss don't often share what they are going through, even with their closes friends and family, often they mourn quietly with their partner.
My heart goes out to anyone suffering or who has suffered a loss, sadly I've been there too. Both of my boys are rainbow babies and I'm so grateful for them - they are my miracle rainbow gifts.
More Information about pregnancy loss and support:
- Share - Pregnancy & Infant loss support Chapters: Hospice of the Conejo, Thousand Oaks
- Postpartum Support International: Loss & Grief in pregnancy & postpartum
- Tommy's: Baby loss information and support - this is a UK site, but still has a lot of helpful information
- Birth Injury Center: Intrauterine Fetal Demise also known as Stillbirth
Women's Equality Day
August 26
Women’s Equality Day marks the passage of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. While we still have work to do, we've come a long way towards achieving equity. When election time comes think back to all those who fought before us and exercise your right to get out the vote!
A day to celebrate the fierce women who shaped history! Let's cheer for progress and remind our children that they can achieve anything.
This day also celebrates Susan B. Anthony - did you know that the 19th Amendment was known as the “Susan B. Anthony Amendment” to honor her work on behalf of women’s rights, and on July 2, 1979, she became the first woman to be featured on a circulating coin from the U.S. mint? Most think about her work for the women’s suffrage movement, but before that she was an abolitionist and active in the temperance movement. This is a also a day to honor her and all she accomplished.
Explore more:
- United States Senate Timeline: The Senate and the 19th Amendment
- National Archives: Woman Suffrage and the 19th Amendment
Anniversary of 'I Have a Dream' Speech
August 28
Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream” speech in front of a crowd of some 250,000 people from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, at the March on Washington in D.C., on August 28, 1963. Today, with your kids, read the speech and talk about King's message, it remains one of the most famous speeches in history. How far have we come? What more we can do? What are things they can do today?
Learn more about MLK:
- 🤴🏿 Unveiling Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Legacy With Your Family
- 5 Kids' Books About Martin Luther King Jr. & Other Civil Rights Heroes
- 5 Interesting Facts To Share With Kids About Martin Luther King Jr.
- Learn All About Martin Luther King Jr. and His Legacy
- More about the 'I have a dream' speech
- 7 Things You May Not Know About MLK’s ‘I Have a Dream’ Speech
- 10 Things You May Not Know About Martin Luther King Jr.
- An Intimate View of MLK Through the Lens of a Friend
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National Breastfeeding Month
August 1-31 | September 1-9
First off this month: Let's raise a toast to all the moms out there with their amazing breastfeeding and pumping skills! It's not easy, I know. August is National Breastfeeding Month - the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee's NBM theme, "Nourish, Sustain, Thrive," will help shine a light on why this work is so important and center the conversation on the babies and families who need our support. Let's celebrate mothers and work to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding and breastmilk feeding for this annual National Breastfeeding Month!
No matter if your breastfeeding days are behind you or didn't breastfeed one thing is for certain, breastfeeding moms do better with support - support from family, friends, doctors and even the community. It always makes me smile to see a breastfeeding mom out and about. I remember those precious days long ago, but I also remember the struggles and the community of support that helped me along the way.
5+ Breastfeeding Tips For Mom - From Experienced Moms
World Breastfeeding Week is August 1-7, supported by UNICEF and the World Health Federation in more than 120 countries, was created with the goal to provide support for breastfeeding moms everywhere.
Weekly Observances:
- Week 1 ~ August 1-7: World Breastfeeding Week and National WIC Breastfeeding Week
- Theme: Closing the Gap - Breastfeeding Support for All
- Week 2 ~ August 8-14: Indigenous Milk Medicine Week
- Theme: Mind, Body, Milk Medicine
- Week 3 ~ August 15-21: Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week
- Theme: To be announced . . .
- Week 4 ~ August 25-31: Black Breastfeeding Week
- Theme: Listen Up! Reclaiming Our Narrative & Centering Our Stories for Breastfeeding Justice
- Week 5 ~ September 5-11: Workplace Lactation Week - New
- Theme: Policy to Practice - Making Lactation Support a Reality
- Week 6 ~ September 5-11: Semana de La Lactancia Latina Breastfeeding Week-New
- Theme: Reclaiming Culture Through Lactation
Local Breastfeeding Resources and Support:
- Butterfly Care Center in Thousand Oaks: Classes, free online breastfeeding support Mondays 1-2 pm, Childbirth preparation, breastfeeding and newborn parenting classes and support
- Breastfeeding Coalition of Ventura County
- BreastfeedLA
- La Leche League of Southern California / Nevada: Find local meetings and virtual or phone support
- Ventura Coast Milk Bank: Donate / receive breast milk
- Mother's Milk Bank
More Breastfeeding Resources and Support:
- California Breastfeeding Coalition
- La Leche League USA
- California WIC - Women, Infants & Children | Breastfeeding Support | Breastfeeding and returning to work or school
- Breastfeeding USA
- Kelly Mom - Parenting / Breastfeeding
- Black Mothers Breastfeeding Association
- World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action - WABA
- LactMed® - NIH drugs and lactation database
- e-lactancia: A Spanish-English online database maintained by APILAM, Association for Promotion of and Cultural and Scientific Research into Breastfeeding. It is maintained by both medical doctors and pharmacists
- Infant Risk Center 1(806) 352-2519: A world-wide call center open from 8am - 5 pm CST to help evaluate the risk to the infant from exposure to multiple drugs, and keep the mom breastfeeding.
Just few more August Holidays:
August 17, 2024: International Geocaching Day
Celebrated the third Saturday each August
August 26: International / National Dog Day:
- Celebrate Your Favorite Dog With Homemade Treats and Pup Cakes
- Simple Peanut-Free Dog Treats To Make at Home
August is National Peach Month:
- How To Make Fresh Peach Fruit Leather In Your Oven With 2 Ingredients
- The Easiest Peach Dessert Recipe Ever
- Picnic Peach Cake
- Five Things to do with Peaches
- Grilled Peaches and Plums with Brown Sugar
💙 Macaroni KID Conejo Valley - Malibu - Calabasas covers the towns of: Calabasas, Agoura Hills, Oak Park, Westlake Village, Thousand Oak, Newbury Park and Malibu. I will also include worthwhile information, events and activities, classes, fundraisers and other happening in the nearby communities of Simi Valley, Camarillo, Oxnard, Ventura, San Fernando Valley, greater Los Angeles and Southern California.
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