Aug 1-6: National Clown Week • You can’t thank (or blame) Barnum & Bailey for the observance, designed to promote and honor everyone’s most loved (or loathed) fixture of the circus. Credit goes to Richard Nixon, who signed the presidential proclamation for National Clown Week in 1971 (nationalclownweek.org). ’Nuff said.
Aug: 13: International Left-Handers’ Day • Founded in 1992 by (who else?) the International Left-Handers Club, the day is meant to celebrate southpaws (lefthandersday.com).
Aug 24 National Hug Your Boss Day • Started in Britain, and now observed in the US and several other countries, the day is designed to “boost morale and motivation in the workplace,” and help those who may be unhappy and unmotivated (nationalhugyourbossday.co.uk).
Aug 21: Senior Citizens’ Day • Another holiday conceived by presidential proclamation (Reagan this time), the day is meant to honor our “older people, who have achieved much for our families, our communities, and our country.” (And themselves—early-bird specials!).
Swimmers, parents of toddlers, and grilled-sandwich eaters take note: August is also National Water Quality Month, Get Ready for Kindergarten Month, and National Panini Month.
