Warm summer days may still remain, but a few leaves can be seen falling and evenings bring cooler temperatures. That means it’s time for local and college football action, seasonal color changes, pumpkin-flavored everything, and even thinking about Christmas promotions (it’s only 116 days away and counting…)
Football season has likely already launched where you live, and local high schools and colleges have vast followings among your website visitors and users. Consider highlighting local teams or even supporting them on your website, with promotions, interviews with players and coaches, or even reader submissions about why they are such avid fans. Ask a local celebrity to judge the entries and award team-themed prizes to the winners.
Fall recipes are always a fun topic, and not just all things flavored with pumpkin. Tailgating dishes are always favorites, as well as great fall-themed desserts. Again, this would be a great contest opportunity. Ask social media followers to submit their favorite recipes and ask a local restaurant owner to judge and choose the winners. Award football team-themed prizes or free meals to local restaurants.
Holidays and Special Days
College Colors Day (September 1)
Get out your old college t-shirts and jackets and celebrate what you remember best from your days pursuing higher education. True colors and team spirit run deep in most people, so this is a great chance to tie into local sports games and tailgating.
Labor Day (September 2)
Labor Day celebrates the working man and woman and all they do year-round to keep the businesses running for everyone. Celebrate your employees or contractors with a small gift of appreciation and feature them on your site with an explanation of the valuable skill/service they provide to your company.
National Read-a-Book Day (September 6)
Some people just can’t stop reading, especially those writers among us, but most tend to put reading on the back burner. National Read a Book Day is the perfect opportunity to make some time in your life to read. In our world of technology and screen-based communication, National Read a Book Day encourages us to switch off and turn some pages for a while.
National Grandparents Day (September 8)
Traditionally on a Sunday, this is becoming a special day of remembrance for me as I grow older. My grandparents were pivotal influences in my life, and with age comes a deeper realization of just how powerful their influence was to me. Grandparents are with us from the very beginning of our lives—they accompany us through our childhood, are present at our most important moments, and cheer us on from the sidelines through it all. If yours are still living, spend some valued time with them on this day.
National Day of Service and Remembrance (September 11)
On the National Day of Service and Remembrance, Americans pause to reflect on the devastating September 11 terror attacks. We commemorate those we lost, and give thanks to the brave first responders that put their lives on the line to help. We were faithfully and heroically served by common heroes doing their jobs. So, this 9/11, take a moment to remember with us by serving your local community in some way.
September is National Suicide Prevention Month
Approximately 123 suicides occur each day in this country. It’s the tenth leading cause of death in America — second leading for ages 25-34, and third leading for ages 15-24. Tragically, a rising number of American service veterans commit suicide each year. In order to create awareness and strengthen the fight against suicide, the entire month of September is Suicide Prevention Month. Participate in the fight by getting involved with local organizations and listening for those who may need your help.
Birthdays
September 1, 1908- Estee Lauder, founded cosmetics & fragrance company
September 1, 1923- Rocky Marciano, champion boxer
September 1, 1950- “Dr. Phil” McGraw, TV personality on “Oprah Winfrey” and “Dr. Phil” shows
September 1, 1957- Gloria Estefan, singer, Latin Pop music
September 2, 1948- Christa McAuliffe, teacher, astronaut killed in Challenger shuttle explosion
September 3, 1856- Louis H. Sullivan, architect, developed skyscrapers
September 4, 1918- Paul Harvey, radio personality, quote: “And now, the rest of the story”
September 5, 1847- Jesse James, Outlaw, bank and train robber
September 6, 1888- Joseph P. Kennedy, Kennedy family patriarch
September 6, 1937- Jo Anne Worley, comedian, actress
September 7, 1923- Peter Lawford, actor
September 7, 1936- Buddy Holly, singer, musician
September 8, 1932- Patsy Cline, country singer
September 9, 1941- Otis Redding, singer, “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay”
September 9, 1949- Joe Theisman, NFL Washington Redskins quarterback, sportscaster
September 10, 1929- Arnold Palmer, golfer
September 11, 1913- Paul “Bear” Bryant, Alabama football coach
September 11, 1940- Brian DePalma, filmmaker
September 13, 1860- John J. Pershing, World War I General
September 15, 1857- William Howard Taft, 27th U.S. President (1909-1913), chief justice of the Supreme Court
September 15, 1890- Agatha Christie, mystery writer
September 15, 1940- Merlin Olsen, football player, sportscaster, actor
September 16, 1924- B. B. King, blues singer
September 18, 1939 -Frankie Avalon, singer, actor
September 19, 1929- Adam West, actor
September 20, 1878- Upton Sinclair, novelist
September 21, 1866- H. G. Wells, novelist
September 21, 1947- Stephen King, novelist, horror stories
September 22, 1927- Tommy Lasorda, MLB baseball manager
September 23, 1949- Bruce Springsteen, singer, songwriter
September 24, 1896- F. Scott Fitzgerald, novelist
September 25, 1947- Cheryl Tiegs, model
September 25, 1951- Mark Hamill, actor
September 25, 1952- Christopher Reeve, actor, “Superman” movie
September 26, 1888- T. S. Eliot, poet
September 26, 1968- James Caviezel, “Jesus” in movie “Passion of the Christ”
September 27, 1722- Samuel Adams, Revolutionary War leader, politician
September 27, 1840- Thomas Nast, political cartoonist
September 28, 1573- Michelangelo Merisi de Caravaggio, painter
September 29, 1901- Enrico Fermi, nuclear physicist
September 30, 1924- Truman Capote, novelist
How will you spend the golden days of September? How can you leverage these holiday events or happenings to attract customers and impact your business? Share them in the comments and of course, share them with your readers! Until next month, enjoy something pumpkin-flavored, root for your favorite team, and as always, keep writing!