July is all about celebration! Summer holidays, Independence Day & national ice cream month. Come along for a sunny ride with these fun facts about July!
Oh how we love July. It’s the warmest summer month with bbq after bbq and glorious sunshine. For people in the northern hemisphere, July is a time to soak up the sun, go on vacation, and spend time outdoors with family and friends.
But there is more to July than just the weather! With these fun facts about July we’ll explore famous events like the moon landing and learn about the shining beauty of the ruby.
There is a sense of balance about July. That may be because the exact middle of each year occurs on July 2nd.
So, if your January resolutions haven’t really panned out, why not try again for the second half of the year? You can do it! We believe in you!
July is also the month of Cancers and Leos. The Zodiac smiles down upon all the July babies during this time of year. The best part of being born in July? No school!
We also love to relax in July. The lazy dog days of summer wash over us and we can rest by the pool or lake. In July, we laugh with each other and take life a little less seriously.
What else can we learn about July? How about the world’s first bikini? The coldest temperature ever recorded? The Roman Leader who invented the calendar?
Read on to discover more July facts and why we love this month so much!
Contents:
17 Fun Facts About July
1. All hail, Caesar!
The month of July is named after Roman leader Julius Caesar. Before the name change, July was known as Quintilis. Quintilis, the Latin word for five, was the fifth month on the Gregorian calendar.
In fact, Julius Caesar modified the calendar, adding the months of January and February. The Julian calendar is still in use today! Now that’s one of the more influential fun facts about July!
2. The crab and the lion
If you were born between July 1st and July 22nd you were born under the Zodiac sign of Cancer. Cancers are known to be emotionally intelligent and caring.
If you were born between July 23rd and July 31st you were born under the Zodiac sign of Leo. Leos are known to be outgoing and confident. You can check out our fun facts about Leos here!
3. It’s hot up here
The month of July holds some very hot records! In the northern hemisphere, July is usually the hottest month of the year. The hottest temperature ever recorded in the United States was in Greenland Ranch, California.
The thermometer soared to 134°F/57°C on July 10th 1913. It was hot enough to fry an egg on a rock in a matter of seconds!
4. But it’s cold down there
While it may be hot north of the Equator, people living in the southern half of the world see their coldest temperatures in July. In fact, the most severe cold season on record happened in July 1983 near the South Pole.
The temperature at Vostok Station in Antarctica saw an extreme temperature of -129°F/-89.6°C. That’s weather only a penguin could love!
5. July Firsts
Here are some fascinating July facts to impress your friends at your next barbecue. The first ever rabies vaccine was administered by Louis Pasteur on July 6th, 1885. The first atomic bomb test was detonated in New Mexico on July 16th, 1945.
And the first bikini debuted in Paris on July 5th, 1946 at the famous Piscine Militor swimming pool. No word if it was an itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny, yellow polka-dot bikini.
6. Stars and stripes forever
The fireworks! The celebrations! The delicious food! On July 4th, 1776, the original 13 colonies of the United States declared its independence from the British, and the rest is history.
Today, July 4th celebrations are held throughout the country full of pride, good cheer, and time well spent with friends and family.
7. Other independence days
It isn’t just the United States that has their national holiday in July. Canada celebrates their independence from the British empire with Canada Day every July 1st.
France celebrates the French Revolution with Bastille Day every July 14th. Many other countries also celebrate their nationhood in July as well, including Algeria, Argentina and Belgium.
8. Quirky July days
As it is with all the months, July has some head-scratching daily observances. July 2nd is World UFO Day. July 6th is International Kissing Day. Finally, July 24th is National Tequila Day.
If you end up having one too many margaritas and kissing an alien – well you can just blame it on the month of July!
9. We landed on the moon
This is one of the most historic fun facts about July. On July 16th, 1969 the crew of the Apollo 11 launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Four days later, on July 20th, 1969 Neil Armstrong was the first human to set foot on the moon. The moon landing will forever be known as one of America’s greatest scientific achievements.
10. The king of gems
The stunning red ruby is the official birthstone of July. This sought after and valuable gem is known as the king of gems and was once embedded in armor to protect against harm.
Today the ruby is common in jewelry and is known to represent wisdom, love and health.
11. Two wonderful flowers
July is a month where flowers are at their most beautiful and July is represented by two flowers.
The first is the water lily. This delicate flower found often around ponds and marshes is known to symbolize lightness of heart.
The second is larkspur. A gorgeous flower of many colors and varieties that grows best in warm July weather. It is said to represent sweetness and laughter.
Isn’t that just perfect for July?
12. July inspired names
It isn’t only Julius that derives its name from the month of July. Some of the most common names for boys and girls have been influenced by this month.
For boys there is Julius, Jules, and Julian. For girls there is Julie, Julia, Julianne, and Juliet.
Some other common July inspired names are Leo and Ruby. But how about the name July? Simple and to the point. We kind of love it!
13. Presidential deaths
Here is one of the more somber July facts. 7 US Presidents have passed away in July. That is the most of any month.
Interestingly enough, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, the 2nd and 3rd US presidents, died on the exact same day, July 4th, 1826. We doubt there was much celebrating on those Independence Days!
14. The first international phone call
Can you hear me now? It was on July 1,1881 that the first ever international phone call was successfully made.
The call originated in the Canadian province of New Brunswick and was received in the US state of Maine. How we would love to be eavesdropping on that call!
15. Tough times for the gardener
July is known for its dry conditions including a lack of rain. This allows for weeds to thrive and insects to hatch.
A gardener must be vigilant in July to ensure their garden is getting enough water and is free of annoying pests.
It is also known among people with green thumbs that if your plants remain healthy through July, the harvest will be especially bountiful.
16. We love to vacation in July
In the Northern hemisphere it is common for school to be out for the summer months. And people are most likely to take vacations from their jobs in the month of July.
It’s no wonder that the US National Parks are busiest in July. Families from across the country flock to the parks to camp, fish, hike, and explore the spectacular nature.
17. The junk food month
It makes sense right? July is the month of barbecues, beach days, traveling carnivals and road trips. Along with all of this comes some serious junk food cravings!
It’s no surprise that July lays claim to National Ice Cream Month, National Chocolate Month, National French Fry Month and National Hot Dog Month.
Our stomachs are growling just thinking about all the deliciousness!
Who wants more fun facts?
If you’re looking for some recommendations, these are a few of our favorite fact books to buy. We use these when planning fun trivia nights with family and friends!
What did you think of all these fun facts about July?
Do you have any more interesting July facts that we might have missed? Let us know in the comments below and we’ll add them to this list!
I was born in July, it only makes sense for me to know these fun facts!