By Eilis Flynn

On this side of the equator, in our neck of the woods, July means summer. In the US of A, July 4 means Independence Day, celebrating our independence from England, in 1776. Also on this side of the Atlantic Ocean, July 1 is Canada Day, observing the day in 1867 that the Canadian government officially became independent, also from England:

http://www.canadaonline.about.com/od/canadaday/a/canadachecklist.htm

Wait, there’s more! July’s also a big month for the French, who also celebrate their own independence in the form of Bastille Day on July 14, noting the day in 1789 when French citizens stormed a jail that the French royals used to lock up anyone who disagreed with them—and also marking the beginning of the French Revolution: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bastille_Day

I can only assume all this revolution and independence comes about in July because it’s hot and tempers are frayed. (On the other side of the equator I have no clue.) But there are other holidays in July that have nothing to do with independence. Also on July 4 is Tom Sawyer Fence-Painting Day (honest and truly!). Then there’s Flitch Day on July 19, an English custom come to the US dating back to the 12^th century, when any “married couple who could prove they had been faithful and loving to one another for one year was awarded half a pig, known as a flitch of bacon”:

http://www.wilsonsalmanac.com/dunmow_flitch.html

And if that’s not enough, there’s All of Nothing Day on July 26, with the motto to “live life like it’s your last day of Earth”:

http://www.kidzworld.com/article/2265-july-holidays

Then there’s World UFO Day on July 2, Chocolate Day on July 7 (hooray!), Different Colored Eyes Day on July 12, National Nude Day on July 14, National Junk Food Day on July 21, and Take Your Pants for a Walk Day on July 27 (and more!):

http://www.inforesearchlab.com/giftideasmonth.chtml

Copyright 2007 Eilis Flynn