National Lighthouse Day
About National Lighthouse Day
When is National Lighthouse Day? This holiday is always celebrated on August 7
All over the world, lighthouses are a guiding light leading boats to safe harbors. National Lighthouse Day is today, an August 7 holiday. This special day honors and commemorates a beacon of light that symbolizes safety and security for boats at sea.
On August 7, 1789, through an Act of Congress, the Federal Government took over responsibility for building and operating our nation’s lighthouses. The government recognized the importance of lighthouses to ships at sea to find safe harbor during fog and storms. Over the years, lighthouses have saved many ships and an untold number of lives.
Lighthouses are a nighttime navigational aid for all types of marine vessels. Throughout maritime history, Lighthouses have shined their powerful, sweeping lights through the fog and storms, allowing ships of all kinds to find their way back to port during inclement weather. With the advent of radar and GPS technology, lighthouses have taken a back seat in guiding ships to port. However, they remain the universal symbol of safe harbor to ships and communities that rely upon the sea for their livelihood.
There are numerous local and national lighthouse preservation societies and lighthouse organizations. They serve to preserve and promote lighthouses, and their historical significance to communities, and to the nation.
National Lighthouse Day Trivia and Fun Facts
Here are some interesting things you may not know about lighthouses:
- The earliest known lighthouse was constructed in Egypt around 2,600 B.C.
- There are a variety of light sources. Early lighthouses used open flames. Today’s lighting sources include incandescent bulbs, electric lamps, and LEDs.
- Built in 1902, the Île Vierge lighthouse in Finistère, France is the tallest in the world. It stands at 271 feet tall (83 meters).
- The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in the United States. It is located on Hatteras Island on the Outer Banks in North Carolina. The lighthouse stands 208 feet tall.
- There are an estimated 18,700 lighthouses worldwide. 700 of them are in the United States. And, 65 of them are along the coast of Maine.
- The emergence of GPS technology as made lighthouses obsolete. However, many still operate around the world.
- While it is not a traditional lighthouse, the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor is also considered a navigational aid.
How to Celebrate and Participate in National Lighthouse Day
Here are some ideas on how to celebrate and participate in National Lighthouse Day:
- Visit a lighthouse near you.
- Take pictures of them.
- Add lighthouse pictures of artwork in and around your home.
- If you have a flower garden, they make replica lighthouses are great centerpieces.
- Learning more about your local lighthouse preservation society.
- Read a book about lighthouses.
- Share pictures on social media.
Today's Quote
“Don’t forget that maybe you are the lighthouse in someone’s storm.” – – Author Unknown
History and Origin of National Lighthouse Day
On this day in 1789, the U.S. Congress enacted legislation allowing the federal government control over the creation and maintenance of lighthouses. This special day evolved out of this event, and in recent years, through efforts to preserve lighthouses as an important historical symbol in America.
In 1989, the U.S. Congress proclaimed National Lighthouse Day. This hoiday is an annual event.
Definition of “National” Days – and why it is so important to distinguish and identify true national days.
This Day in History
Here are some other things that happened on August 7:
Hatfield – McCoy feud begins. (1882)
Canada and the United States dedicated the Peace Bridge over the Niagara River connecting the two countries. (1927)
Dancer and spy Mata Hari was born on this day in 1876.
More August 7 Holidays
More About Today
Flower of the Day: Bat Flower
Recipe of the Day: Stuffed Peppers
Ecards Send a free Ecard daily for just about any August calendar holiday, occasion, observance, or event. Or, just for the fun of it!
Holiday Insights, where every day in August is a holiday, a bizarre or wacky day, an observance, or a special event. Join us in the daily calendar fun each and every day of the year.
Did You Know? There are literally thousands of daily holidays, special events, and observances, more than one for every day of the year. and many of these holidays are new. People and organizations are creating new holidays regularly. August holidays are no exception. Consequently, at Holiday Insights, we take great efforts to thoroughly research and document the details of each one, as completely and accurately as possible.