Summer is swiftly passing, but there are still plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great weather, and plenty of great summertime topics about which to write. After enjoying most of summer, reflect on what you enjoyed most and write about it. Choose five words to describe your summer and explain why each fits your experience. Then challenge readers to share five words that describe their summer and a brief explanation for each.
August means backpacks, school supplies, new school clothes, and new classes. Compose an entertaining story about returning to school as a child. Why not offer a contest where readers and/or their students write a paragraph about the challenges of returning to school, and contribute pictures of their student dressed in their first-day-back-to-school finest? Offer a prize of gift certificates for school supplies and choose a few winners to feature on your site, along with their written submissions.
 

Holidays

August 4: International Beer Day

International Beer Day celebrates the taste of beer and the achievement of beer brewers. Beer is an alcoholic drink known as far back as ancient Egypt in 4000 B.C., making it one of the oldest alcoholic drinks in the world. There it was known as a source of important minerals and was consumed by adults and children. It is brewed mainly from malted barley, hops, yeast, and water. International Beer Day exists to appreciate brewers and servers, to enjoy the varied taste of beers from around the world, and to unite the world around beer.
 

August 7: National Sister Day

This unofficial holiday celebrates sisters, the special bond they share with their sisters, and their contributions to the family unit. National Sister Day is celebrated annually on August 7. It was celebrated for the first time on August 7, 2011. Show your sister some love today!
 

August 12: International Youth Day

In 1995, the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) adopted the World Program of Action for Youth to establish guidelines and policies for action and support that would lead to a brighter future for tomorrow’s youth. This paved the way for the UN’s declaration of International Youth Day in 1999. Since its inception on August 12, 2000, International Youth Day seeks to increase the quality and number of opportunities available to youth to actively participate in society.
 

August 15: Assumption of Mary

The Assumption of Mary commemorates the mother of Jesus’ ascension into heaven. Traditionally, Roman Catholics believe Mary, the Virgin mother of Jesus, never physically died and instead ascended into heaven. This event is not found in the Bible. The theology upon which it is based is from several early church documents. The Orthodox Church observes the tradition, but it didn’t become doctrine in the Roman Catholic Church until 1950 when Pope Pius XII declared the belief infallible. According to church doctrine, Thomas was the only disciple who saw Mary’s ascension into heaven. Mary dropped her girdle when she reached heaven, and Thomas caught it.
 

August 26: National Dog Day

In 2005, National Dog Day was conceived and promoted by Colleen Paige, a pet lover and advocate. In the U.S., approximately 3.9 million dogs enter animal shelters every year; of these, 1.2 million are euthanized. Only 35% of shelter dogs are adopted, 26% are returned to their owners, and 31% are euthanized. National Dog Day serves to raise awareness concerning the thousands of dogs that need to be rescued and encourages appreciation for family dogs and working dogs, such as bomb dogs, service dogs, rescue dogs, and law enforcement dogs.
 

Birthdays

• August 4, 1961: 44th President of the United States, Barak Obama
• August 5, 1930: Astronaut Neil Armstrong
• August 11, 1953: Professional Wrestler Hulk Hogan
• August 13, 1899: Author, Film Director Alfred Hitchcock
• August 13, 1926: Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro
• August 15, 1972: Actor Ben Affleck
• August 15, 1990: Actress Jennifer Lawrence
• August 16, 1954: Filmmaker James Cameron
• August 17, 1943: Actor Robert De Niro
• August 18, 1952: Actor Patrick Swayze
• August 19, 1946: 42nd President of the United States, William Jefferson (Bill) Clinton
• August 20, 1992: Actress Demi Lovato
• August 23, 1978: Basketball star Kobe Bryant
• August 24, 1988: Actor Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley of Harry Potter fame)
• August 25, 1930: Actor Sean Connery
• August 26, 1910: Mother Theresa
• August 27, 1908: 36th President of the United States, Lyndon Baines Johnson
• August 29, 1936: United States Senator John McCain
• August 29, 1958: Singer-songwriter Michael Jackson
• August 30, 1930: Billionaire, Philanthropist Warren Buffett

Additional Topics

August 3 is National Watermelon Day.

Although not a nationally recognized holiday (which requires an act of Congress), this big fruit deserves its own big day. Sweet and tasty, watermelons are one of summer’s favorite fruit for picnics or anytime. While watermelon is over 90% water, it still tastes good. And, what picnic would be complete without a seed spitting contest?
 

August 13 is Left-Handers Day.

Left-Handers, also known as Southpaws (especially in the sport of boxing; i.e.: Rocky), are the brunt of more than their share of jokes all year long. The world is built for right handers. Examples are everywhere:

• In school, have you ever seen a left-handed desk? They are rare.
• Many left-handed items cost more.
• Novelty coffee mugs are printed with the picture or text for a right-handed pick-up.
• Scissors are for right-handers. Only a lefty would understand this.
• Most computer mice (mouses?) are designed for right-handers.

While only about 10% of the population are left-handed, all polar bears favor their left paw. And, right-handers stand out in the town of Left Hand, West Virginia!
 

August 30 is National Marshmallow Toasting Day.

Summer isn’t the same without a campfire and this great campfire treat. Toast a marshmallow and forget about everything else. Enjoy today or tonight by a campfire or bonfire, toasting a big, soft, sticky marshmallow, or two, or three, or….
And, don’t forget to make a few S’mores. Here’s a great recipe:
 
Ingredients:
Chocolate candy bar
Honey Graham Crackers
Marshmallows
 
Instructions:
Break off a square of Graham cracker.
Add a piece of Chocolate.
Toast a big marshmallow over the campfire.
Add the hot marshmallow.
Top it with another Graham cracker.
Savor and enjoy!
Fun note: Make S’mores in the microwave! Put them together and pop them in the microwave on high for 15-20 seconds.
What topics, holidays, or events pique your interest? What’s happening where you live? Are there current events or movements that will impact your business or attract customers? What great topics or causes get your ideas and pen (or keyboard) flowing? Share them with your readers! Enjoy summer while it lasts, and as always, keep writing!