31 Reasons to Celebrate in August

Before summer comes to an end, you can squeeze in a few more fun activities and celebrations. From National Root Beer Float Day to National Relaxation Day, there are many ways to enjoy the sunny days of August.

Here are 31 reasons to celebrate during the month of August.

Fun Fact

August is named after the Roman emperor Augustus.

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Aug. 1: National Girlfriends Day

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Some women would be completely and utterly lost without their closest girlfriends. Today, show your girlfriends how much they mean to you with a small gift, homemade meal, or even a sweet handmade card. After years of judgment-free advice, hilarious jokes, and fun times, they've certainly earned it.
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Aug. 2: National Ice Cream Sandwich Day

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It turns out there is a way to make ice cream even better: Smash it between two soft cookies. Whether you prefer your ice cream sandwiches homemade or store-bought, vanilla with chocolate cookies or something a bit more inventive, today’s a good day to indulge in this cool treat.
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Aug. 3: National Watermelon Day

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Thanks to it being around 92% water, watermelon is tasty and refreshing on a hot summer day. In honor of National Watermelon Day, cut yourself some pieces of this pink fruit. And look up some recipes that use the melon, such as watermelon lemonade or watermelon feta salad, for a refreshing summer treat.
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Aug. 4: National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day

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Crisp or chewy, straight from the oven or out of a bag, chocolate chip cookies take many delicious forms. Today’s the day to pick up some chocolate chip cookies from your local bakery or mix up a batch at home. Pour yourself a cold glass of milk, and enjoy.

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Aug. 5: Work Like a Dog Day

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With the dog days of summer comes Work Like a Dog Day. This is a day to honor those who are reliable and hardworking, much like service dogs and other working canines. Say thank you to your co-workers today. And if there’s a service or working dog in your life, offer it some extra affection (and treats), too.
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Aug. 6: National Root Beer Float Day

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Take a trip back to your childhood, and sip on a tall glass of root beer topped with vanilla ice cream for National Root Beer Float Day. Looking for a grown-up twist on this classic treat? Combine a few ounces of Galliano, vanilla-flavored vodka, whipped cream, and root beer in a frosted pint class.
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Aug. 7: International Beer Day* (first Friday)

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From a 5,400-year-old brew discovered in the mountains of Iran to today’s creative craft beers, beer has had a long and interesting history. Say cheers to International Beer Day with a classic German Spaten or Kolsch, sample a new-to-you brew from a local brewery, or try brewing your own beer at home.
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Aug. 8: International Cat Day

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If you’re a cat owner, you know every day with your feline friend is basically International Cat Day. Sometimes cats can be fussy, and sometimes they poop in the wrong places. But the joy of cat ownership makes it all worth it. Give your kitty a little extra love today. Spoil it with a new toy, a bit of catnip, or some tasty treats.

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Aug. 9: National Rice Pudding Day

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Rice pudding typically is rice mixed with milk or water and flavored with cinnamon, sugar, and raisins. But there are many twists on this recipe. For National Rice Pudding Day, try topping it with lemon zest and vanilla, or sample an international variation of rice pudding from Turkey or Portugal.
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Aug. 10: National S’mores Day

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This campfire classic is perfectly delicious in its original form with graham crackers, milk chocolate, and toasted marshmallows. There are tons of tasty twists on s'mores out there, too. Try adding sliced strawberries, bananas, or raspberries, or go all out with a smear of Nutella for National S'mores Day.
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Aug. 11: Son and Daughter Day

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Today's the day to celebrate sons, daughters, and any other kiddos in your life. Give them a nice, big bear hug, and let them know how special you think they are. Spend the day bonding over your favorite childhood board game, or make a DIY game together.
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Aug. 12: Baseball Fans Day

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No sport says “summer” like baseball. If you're not able to get to the ballpark today, you can create your own fan experience at home. Enjoy hot dogs, freshly popped popcorn, and ice-cold beer while you watch a game on TV.

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Aug. 13: National Filet Mignon Day

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If you’ve never made filet mignon before, today’s the day to learn. Preparing filet mignon is much easier than you might think. And it’s ridiculously good when served with sides of potatoes and green beans. Treat yourself to some quality home-cooking.
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Aug. 14: National Creamsicle Day

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Dairy and citrus aren't a common pair. But when it comes to creamsicles, the duo definitely works. These tart, creamy treats are a summertime staple. So cool off with one for National Creamsicle Day.
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Aug. 15: National Relaxation Day

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Today, give yourself a few moments of utter relaxation. Listen to your favorite song, apply a face mask, take a luxurious bath, or treat yourself to a massage at a local spa. Do whatever it takes to disconnect and let yourself relax.
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Aug. 16: National Bratwurst Day

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Bratwurst are German sausages commonly made with pork, beef, or veal. They're easy to cook, and they can be prepared in a number of ways. Try a classic grilling recipe, and top them with your favorite hot dog fixings. Simmer them in beer for a truly German treat. Or slice cooked bratwurst into homemade spaetzle for a delicious side dish.

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Aug. 17: National Black Cat Appreciation Day

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Black cats have a bad rap with the superstition that they're unlucky. So it's a good thing they have a day dedicated to their appreciation. If you have a black cat, give it some extra treats, playtime, and pets today. Or consider volunteering at your local animal shelter, where you can help lots of black cats get lucky and find their forever homes.
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Aug. 18: National Fajita Day

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Sometimes they’re topped with cheese, sometimes they’re spicy, and sometimes they’re packed with inventive ingredients. But one thing is for certain: Fajitas are always delicious. For National Fajita Day, you can serve them with refried beans and rice, fresh tortillas, and sour cream for a totally filling (and easy to prep) dinner.
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Aug. 19: National Potato Day

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Mashed, fried, chipped, and baked, potatoes are an incredibly versatile food. Enjoy your favorite spud preparations for National Potato Day. Whether it’s hash browns for breakfast, chips for lunch, or loaded baked potatoes for dinner, there’s a potato recipe for every taste.
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Aug. 20: National Bacon Lover’s Day

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Whether you serve it alongside eggs, layered in a BLT sandwich, or as a flavor fusion in a cocktail, today's the day for bacon lovers. But before you go on your bacon bender, learn how to make perfectly cooked, crispy bacon in the oven.

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Aug. 21: National Spumoni Day

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Spumoni is a traditional dessert that contains gelato, whipped cream, candied fruit, and nuts. For National Spumoni Day, try your culinary skills at making your own spumoni. Or leave it to the pros, and pick one up at your local Italian bakery.
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Aug. 22: National Bao Day

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Bao, otherwise known as baozi, is a meat- or veggie-filled steamed bun that’s common in Chinese cuisines. Unlike a dumpling, bao has a thick, chewy, almost bread-like wrapper. You can find them at your local Chinese eatery, or try making your own bao at home for National Bao Day.
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Aug. 23: National Sponge Cake Day

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You can make sponge cake with just eggs, flour, and sugar. There are many variations on the classic sponge, which dates back to the Renaissance period. If you’ve never made sponge cake, today’s the day to change that. It’s an easy recipe that you can jazz up with icing, fruit, and more.
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Aug. 24: National Waffle Day

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Waffles are quite versatile. There are the obvious waffles with butter and syrup for breakfast. But there also are chicken and waffles for lunch or a burger with all the fixings sandwiched between two waffles for dinner. Also, you can try making an ice cream sandwich with homemade waffles. There’s no better time to try some inventive waffle concoctions than National Waffle Day.

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Aug. 25: National Whiskey Sour Day

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If you want to feel like a cool, mid-century modern kind of cat, try sipping on a whiskey sour. This classic cocktail contains bourbon, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup. Serve it over ice with an orange wheel and Maraschino cherry for a deliciously vintage cocktail hour.
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Aug. 26: National Dog Day

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Dog owners truly consider their four-legged friends to be members of the family. In exchange for its love and loyalty, give your pooch a little extra pampering today, whether that means a long walk, a new toy, or a tasty treat.
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Aug. 27: National Banana Lovers Day

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You can use bananas in thousands of recipes, from smoothies to ice cream sundaes and homemade pancakes. Plus, they make an excellent vegan-friendly egg replacer in baking recipes. They contain heart-healthy potassium. And they’re ridiculously cheap. Enjoy a banana or a banana-centric recipe for National Banana Lovers Day.
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Aug. 28: National Bow Tie Day

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Want to add a little pizzazz to your outfit? August 28th is National Bow Tie Day, which is the perfect excuse to rock a fun accessory and show off your personality.

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Aug. 29: Lemon Juice Day

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Lemon juice can add brightness to any dish, from a salad to a lemon cake. It can add depth to cocktails. And when you’re finished prepping food with it, you can use lemon juice as an eco-friendly home cleaner. Find a new-to-you way to use lemon juice for Lemon Juice Day.
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Aug. 30: National Toasted Marshmallow Day

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If you didn’t indulge in enough toasted marshmallows on National S’mores Day earlier this month, now is your chance to catch up. Whip up a batch of marshmallow fudge, add toasted marshmallows to a peanut butter sandwich, or just eat your toasted marshmallows straight off the stick.
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Aug. 31: Eat Outside Day

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Al fresco dining season is almost over, so take advantage of every nice day to eat outside. Hopefully your weather cooperates for Eat Outside Day today. String up twinkly lights, gather your shatterproof dishes and glasses, and hit the patio.