In The Good Ol’ (July) Summertime, Holidays

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 12th 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