July

July (ⁱ/dʒʊˈlaɪ/ juu-LY) is the seventh month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian Calendars and one of seven months with the length of 31 days. It is, on average, the warmest month in most of the Northern hemisphere (where it is the second month of summer) and the coldest month in much of the Southern hemisphere (where it is the second month of winter). The second half of the year commences in July. In the Southern hemisphere, July is the seasonal equivalent of January in the Northern hemisphere.

July starts on the same day of the week as April in a common year, and January in leap years. In a common year no other month ends on the same day as July, while in a leap year July ends on the same day of the week as January.

The birthstone for July is a ruby.

In the Northern Hemisphere:

• Dog days begin in early July, when the hot sultry weather of summer usually starts.
• Summer school is under way for many students.
• Spring lambs, born in late winter or early spring, are usually sold before July 1.

Previously, it was called Quintilis in Latin, since it was the fifth month in the ancient Roman calendar, which traditionally set March as the beginning of the year before it was changed to January at the time of the decemvirs about 450 BC. The name was then changed by Augustus to honor Julius Caesar, who was born in July. In the ancient Roman calendar the ides of July fell on the 15th day of the month.

Events

July, from the Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry

Fireworks in Washington, DC, to celebrate Independence Day on July 4

• Tanabata, a Japanese traditional seasonal "make-a-wish" celebration, July 7
• The traditional period known as "fence month" (the closed season for deer in England) ended July 9 (date varied)
• End of the Trinity term (sitting of the High Court of Justice of England) July 31
• Elections of Japanese House of Councillors, replacing half of its seats, held every three years (the latest one in 2007).

Holidays

• Canada Day (formerly Dominion Day) July 1
• Hong Kong SAR Establishment Day in Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China July 1
• Independence Day in Somalia, July 1
• Keti Koti (Emancipation Day) in Surinam, July 1
• Independence Day in Belarus July 3
• Independence Day in the Philippines until 1962; now known as Filipino-American Friendship Day July 4
• Independence Day in the United States of America July 4
• Independence Day in Algeria July 5
• Independence Day in Argentina July 9
• Independence Day in Bahamas July 10
• 12th July (Battle of the Boyne) and (Orangemen's Day) in Northern Ireland.
• Bastille Day July 14
• Marine Day, a holiday in Japan on the third Monday.
• Independence Day in Colombia July 20
• Independence Day in Belgium, July 21
• Foundation Day in Cleveland July 22
• Revolution Day in Egypt July 23
• Pioneer Day in Utah July 24
• Constitution Day (Occupation Day) in Puerto Rico July 25
• Feast of St. James July 25
• Independence Day in Maldives July 26
• Independence Day in Peru July 28
• Foundation Day in Baltimore July 30
• Independence Day in Vanuatu, July 30
• Throne Day in Morocco, July 31

Observations

• Captive Nations Week is the third week of July in the United States. It is aimed at raising public awareness of the oppression of nations under the control of Communist and other non-democratic governments.
• National Ice Cream Month is celebrated during July in the United States.

Symbols

• July's birthstone is the ruby which symbolizes contentment.
• Its birth flowers are the Larkspur or the Water Lily.
• The Zodiac signs for the month of July include Cancer (astrology) and Leo (astrology).

See also

• Historical anniversaries

References

External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: July

Look up july in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: July

• Entourages