Bring out the mosquito netting. Grab the bug spray and the citronella candles. World Mosquito Day is today. This August 20 holiday commemorates the day when the relationship between mosquitos and malaria was identified. Malaria is an infectious disease caused by parasitic protozoans. Malaria causes debilitating illness and even death.

On this day in 1897, British doctor Sir Ronald Ross discovered the link between mosquitos and the transmission of malaria. Ross also identified that the female Anopheles mosquito transmits the disease. In 1902, Ross was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine for his discovery.

About 1,500 cases of malaria are diagnosed in the United States each year. The vast majority of these cases are travelers and immigrants entering the U.S. from parts of the world where malaria is common.

The goal of this special day is to raise awareness of the causes of Malaria and to learn methods of prevention. With the knowledge that mosquitoes carry other diseases, most notably the dangerous Zika virus, it is even more important today, to be aware, and to understand the necessity of avoiding coming in contact with mosquitos.

The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine celebrates World Mosquito Day annually, since the 1930s, They hold exhibitions and parties designed to entertain and inform people.

Did You Know? At least two million people die each year from malaria and other mosquito born diseases.

Today comes in with a roar, as we celebrate the “King of the Jungle”. Also known as “King of the Beasts”, we’re obviously talking about lions, as today is World Lion Day. The key goal of this very special August 10 holiday is a global effort to promote the protection of lions and their shrinking habitat.

As the “King of the Jungle”, one might think that lions are invincible. Hunting and encroachment of civilization into their habitat are negatively impacting their numbers. Surprisingly, lions are at risk of becoming extinct. Lions are important to the balance of nature. They help keep the population of herbivores under control. 

 World Lion Day was created for three reasons:

1. To raise awareness of the plight of lions in the wild and captivity.

2. To encourage the protection of lions and their shrinking habitat.

3. To educate people about the danger that lions pose to people. Lion tamers aside, you don’t ever want to come face-to-face with a lion.

Lions are social creatures. They group together in a family called a “pride”. A single adult male is the head of the pride. Females, sometimes many generations of lionesses, remain in the pride they were born in. Occasionally, a lioness will leave the pride, to form a new pride with a young adult male. Young male cubs remain in the pride until they become adults. 

Did You Know? While we talk about lions as the “King of the Jungle, and movies often have them cast in a jungle environment, lions do not live in jungles. Rather, they live in grasslands and plains near jungle areas.

A Lion we love to Hate: Mufasa from Lion King

A Lion’s Best Friend: Tarzan, of course.

Today is huge, make that enormous international event. It’s World Elephant Day. According to the creator and sponsors of this enormous August 12 holiday, the goal of this day is to raise awareness of the plight of the shrinking populations of African and Asian elephants.

Elephants have a huge and impressive footprint. They are the largest living land animal in the world. Despite their size, elephants can be tamed to the extent that humans can work with them. They can be taught to do work, including heavy lifting, and we can even catch a ride atop their massive backs. They’ve also been employed in wars. They are beloved by children and adults alike and are the most popular animal in zoos around the world.

Elephants are facing a struggle for survival. Just 100 years ago, there were an estimated 5 to 12 million African elephants. Now, there are only approximately 400,000 African elephants left. There were about 1,000,000 Asian elephants 100 years ago. Now, only an estimated 20,000 to 40,000 exist. Asian elephants are on the “Vulnerable Species” list. African elephants are on the “Endangered Species” list. They need our help to survive.

Elephant populations are decreasing in numbers for several reasons. Poaching is perhaps the number one problem. Poachers hunt and kill them solely for their valuable ivory tusks, leaving the carcass behind. Poachers illegally hunt them in open ranges, as well as elephant sanctuaries. Loss of habitat is another huge reason for their declining numbers. As human populations continually increase, more and more wildlife areas are razed and converted to farms to feed the ever-growing need for food. That causes increasing conflict with humans, as the elephants roam into and damage farmlands. Mistreatment of elephants in captivity is also a stress on the steadily decreasing elephant population.  

Today is World Daffodil Day. Daffodil Days are held on a wide range of dates at the world, national, and local levels. There is definitely no consensus on a common date. And that’s okay, as the goals are the same. Whether you are commemorating World Daffodil Day today, or any other Daffodil Day in any country or locality, the goals are critical and vital. Daffodil Days are held to raise awareness of cancer and how to avoid it. Other goals of World Daffodil Day, are to raise funds for cancer research, raise public education and awareness, and help those affected by this deadly and devastating disease. 

Why are Daffodils a symbol in the fight against cancer? Daffodils are a worldwide symbol of life.

In some way and at some time, cancer touches everyone in the entire world. Chances are you or someone you love will have cancer at some time in their lives. We all certainly know many people who have had cancer. All over the globe, there are cancer societies and groups organized to help in the fight against cancer and to find a cure. We strongly encourage you to become active in the fight against cancer. At the very least, contribute… give what you can.

Note: This page is in honor of this authors’ dear uncle, Bob Hicks Jr., who courageously fought, and ultimately lost a five-year battle with Multiple Myeloma, a bone cancer.

Do you work harder and longer hours than anyone you know? Are you a workaholic?  If you answered yes to either or both of these questions, then you will appreciate Work Like a Dog Day. This August 5 holiday recognizes, honors, and appreciates the hardest working among us. After all, our jobs are tough, and somebody has to do the work while the rest of us take another coffee break.

Some people skate by, doing as little as possible. Others do only what they have to. Others still work like a dog. While work is to be done, they dig in relentlessly. They seldom take a break until the task is completed.

We want to make sure to differentiate between “Work-A-Holics” and those who “Work Like a Dog”. Work-A-Holics are always working, even though they may not be working hard. Those who work like a dog, work very hard while they are working. But, they do not work all of the time. 

Today is a day to show appreciation for those who carry more than their load and work like a dog. You can also honor them by working like a dog today.

Women’s Equality Day commemorates the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, granting women the right to vote. On this August 26 holiday, we commemorate the success of the Women’s rights movement to date and commit ourselves to further improvements.

In 1971, after much work, and at the urging of U.S. Representative Bella Abzug (D-NY), Congress designated August 26 each year as Women’s Equality Day. This day was selected to commemorate the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution on August 26, 1920. This amendment granted women the right to vote.  This was the culmination of decades of effort by women suffragettes and other groups.  Their efforts dated back to the first women’s rights convention in 1848 at Seneca Falls, New York.

Celebrate this day in several ways. First, stop and celebrate the accomplishments made in gaining the right to vote, and towards equality for women. Women’s rights groups suggest you continue to be involved in pursuing full and equal rights for women in all areas and all issues.

Do you consider yourself a thrifty person? Are you looking for a great deal? National Thrift Shop Day is a day for a real bargain. On this August 17 holiday, fight inflation and the high cost of living by shopping at discount stores, flea markets, and other thrift shops.

 A “Thrift Shop” is an old term for stores that sell items deeply discounted merchandise. Typically, thrift shops are often outlets of charitable organizations like the Salvation Army, Goodwill, and Vietnam Vets. These organizations accept donations of gently used clothing and household items. After checking them over, many donated items make their way to the organization’s thrift store. The proceeds from the sale of these goods are used for charitable purposes.

Also, there are for-profit thrift shops. Examples include flea markets, farmer’s markets, outlet shops, and discount department stores.  Some of these businesses sell new items at discounted prices. And others sell used goods. It’s not always the highest quality, but the price is right. 

Watch for sales and specials today at Thrift shops in celebration of National Thrift Shop Day. If you are a store owner, hold a sale around this special day, and watch your August sales sizzle!

For some odd reason, kids are fascinated with their toes. They do all sorts of things with them, among them is wiggling their toes. Because of this fascination, it’s only fitting that we celebrate Wiggle Your Toes Day. On this fun, and somewhat inane August 6 holiday, we invite little AND otherwise grownup kids to give your little piggy toes some exercise.

Those ten extremities at the ends of your feet are crying out for a little freedom. Cramped up inside a pair of shoes or sneakers all day long, your stinky toes just don’t get the chance to move about freely, as they would like to do.

Celebrate Wiggle Your Toes Day by airing out your toes, and wiggling them around for all to see. The best place to wiggle your toes on a hot August day is in the pool. Or, sit on a dock and stick your wiggly little toes in the water.

Did you Know? Not all toes are alike. Like people, toes come in all shapes and sizes. There is a small percentage of the population who have two or more toes partially joined together…. web-like toes!

Vesuvius Day marks the date in 79 A.D. that Mount Vesuvius exploded. When the Mount Vesuvius volcano erupted, it became one of the top 10 most devastating eruptions in recorded history. It ranks as #9.

August 24, 79 A.D. was a historic date for the world. This was the day that Mount Vesuvius erupted in a huge explosion. It was one of the largest volcanic explosions in recorded history.

This deadly volcano destroyed the Roman cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Stabiae. They were buried by volcanic ash and pumice. An estimated 3,360 people died in the volcano’s eruption. Had the eruption occurred in modern day, it would have killed many ,many more people.

Mount Vesuvius also exploded a second time in 1631. At that time, it killed approximately 3,500 people.

National Trail Mix Day features a high-energy, tasty treat for the trail or snacks. On this August 31 holiday, you can buy packages of trail mix at a store. Or, you can make up your own, using the ingredients you like best. Making your own is much more fun. And, you can make it in minutes with your favorite mix of ingredients. Of course, once you have a package of trail mix, you need to do something fun. May we suggest a long late-summer hike or a little mountain climbing? 

When you head out to a campout, hike, or go biking, take a bag of trail mix along with you. It provides the extra energy boost to keep you from getting tired and running out of energy along the trail. Don’t limit trail mix to the trail. It is also good at campouts, too.

Trail mix stores well. Just put any unused trail mix into a sealable plastic bag and put it into the freezer for your next hike.

Happy trails to you!