National Immunization Awareness Month falls directly before the commencement of the new school year. Its purpose is to raise awareness of the need for immunizations, especially among children. Parents are encouraged to review their children's vaccination records and ensure they are up-to-date.

Africa

Aug

Independence Day, (BJ)(1960): August 1

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Independence Day in Benin marks the anniversary of August 1, 1960, the official declaration of Independence from the nation of France. Independence Day is a national holiday.

Africa

Aug

Jeans for Genes Day (AU): August 1

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JEANS FOR GENES DAY

RAISING FUNDS FOR CHILDREN'S GENETIC RESEARCH

Held on the first Friday in August, Jeans for Genes Day raises awareness and funds for research into genetic diseases and birth defects. One in every 20 Australian children is born with a genetic condition—ranging from cystic fibrosis and Down syndrome to rare metabolic disorders—and the initiative supports innovation in gene therapy, specialist care, counseling, nursing, and equipment for affected families. The fundraising has produced significant outcomes: the inaugural campaign raised A$250,000 and, within two years, totaled nearly A$900,000. Since its inception, over A$61 million in donations have been raised to support CMRI's (Children's Medical Research Institute) pioneering research.

In 1994, CMRI led a brainstorming session in which staff and volunteers pitched ideas and donated A$2 each to test concepts. Jeans for Genes – a clever play on words – emerged as a front-runner. The campaign's first external launch was packaged by ad agency John Bevins Pty Ltd, accompanied by the slogan, "I'll wear mine on August 9." High-profile Australians, including golf legend Greg Norman and rock star Mick Jagger, were among the first celebrity ambassadors.

Jeans for Genes Day is a nationwide campaign celebrated across Australia. From remote rural schools to municipalities, participants fundraise and learn about genetic conditions that impact communities in every state and territory.

PARTICIPATION

SCHOOLS across Australia hold fundraising events by encouraging students and staff to wear jeans instead of uniforms in exchange for a small donation. Classroom assemblies often include educational activities about genetics—such as hands‑on experiments or discussions—emphasizing empathy and inclusion.

WORKPLACES participate, with businesses joining CMRI's "Jean-ius Club" and encouraging employees to wear jeans, purchase branded badges or merchandise, and make online donations.
Additionally, peer-to-peer fundraising has expanded opportunities throughout the year, including events like Jog for Genes, Jump for Genes, The Great Cycle Challenge ("Lycra for Genes"), and Jam for Genes.

Jeans for Genes Day combines community engagement, education, and fundraising in a simple yet powerful way. It fosters a greater public understanding of the prevalence and challenges of genetic diseases, promotes early intervention and support, and directly funds breakthrough research at CMRI. Moreover, its model has inspired international partners such as Genetic Disorders UK, reinforcing global collaboration, though the Australian and UK events operate independently.

JEANS FOR GENES BY THE NUMBERS (2025)

—Inception: 1994, CMRI-led brainstorming session leading to the Jeans for Genes concept.
—First fundraiser: Raised A$250,000 with celebrity involvement
—Two-year total: Nearly A$900,000
—Cumulative total: Over A$61 million raised by CMRI through national participation
—Target beneficiaries: Children with genetic disorders across Australia, via CMRI-led research and support

Jeans for Genes Day demonstrates how a simple, inclusive campaign—wear your jeans, give what you can—can unite Australians in a shared mission to support children, advance scientific research, and raise awareness of genetic diseases.

Africa

Aug

Lughnasadh: August 1

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The Wiccan celebration of Lughnasadh marks the year's first harvest, one of the more critical observances in the faith. This day may also go by August Eve, Lammas Eve, Lady Day Eve, or the Feast of Bread. Lughnasadh is a traditional harvest festival that marks the beginning of the harvest season. It is one of the four major Celtic seasonal festivals, along with Samhain, Imbolc, and Beltane. Its origins trace back to ancient Celtic culture, specifically Ireland, traditionally observed on August 1, or halfway between the summer solstice and autumn equinox. However, some will celebrate it on the Sunday closest to the 1st. The festival gets its name from Lugh, a prominent deity in Irish mythology. According to the lore, Lugh held the first Lughnasadh festival in honor of his foster-mother Tailtiu, a queen and earth goddess who died from exhaustion after clearing the lands of Ireland for agriculture. Lughnasadh traditions and customs focus on the grain harvest, with feasting, market fairs, games, and competitions taking center stage. The 'first fruits' tradition dictates that the first crop harvested be celebrated as a meal. The bread made from the harvest is called 'Lammas,' from the Old English phrase. 'hlaf-maesse,' which means 'loaf mass.' Ceremonies and rituals during Lughnasadh seek to ensure the harvest's continued success and the land's fertility. At dusk, bonfires burn to protect and cleanse, with celebrants jumping over the fires in search of blessings and purification. The Celts consider grain a living entity necessary to sustain life. Its harvest symbolizes the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth. Today, Wicca and Druidism celebrate Lughnasadh as a religious holiday, folding historical and regional traditions with personal spiritual beliefs. Typical means of celebration include rituals, feasting, storytelling, dancing, and presenting offerings to deities and spirits.

Africa

Aug

Lung Cancer Awareness Day: August 1

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Created in 2011 to focus on lung cancer survivors, World Lung Cancer Day recognizes and remembers all those affected by the disease.

Africa

Aug

Mahjong Day, Ntl.: August 1

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Mahjong, or "the Sparrow Game," was created in China during the 19th Century. A strategy game for 3-4 players includes tiles (like dominos), luck, and abstract thinking (like the card game Rummy). Rules vary throughout the world and tend to borrow from local customs. The game includes 144 tiles with different symbols, usually Chinese, with each player beginning with 13 tiles. The game's objective is to create a winning hand of 14 tiles by winning, discarding, robbing other players, and drawing the optimal hand of four melds displaying the correct combination of characters or with a set of eyes (identical pieces). If you haven't had the opportunity to learn or play Mahjong, National Mahjong Day is your opportunity to discover a social game that will take you a lifetime to master!

Africa

Apr

Army Day (1917): April 6

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First proclaimed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1942 during the height of WWII, Army Day has been celebrated in America each year since. April 6, 1917, is the day the US entered the First World War. The following is the proclamation in the President's own words. "I have proclaimed April 6 Army Day. That day means more than ever to us this year. We are fighting an all-out war in defense of our rights and liberties. Army Day becomes, therefore, in fact, a total-war day. It becomes a day when all of our citizens in civil pursuits can rally to the support of our armed forces, for only in the united effort of all of our forces—Army, Navy, and civilians—can we find the strength to defeat our enemies. Never before in the one hundred and sixty-six years of our history as a free Republic under God have, our armed forces had so much meaning for us all. We are engaged in our greatest war, a war that will leave none of our lives wholly untouched. We shall win that war as we have won every war we have fought. We are fighting it with a combined force of free men that is, in Lincoln's words, of the people, by the people, for the people of the United States of America. Our Army is a mighty arm of the tree of liberty. It is a living part of the American tradition, a tradition that goes back to Israel Putnam, who left his plow in a New England furrow to take up a gun and fight at Bunker Hill. In this tradition American men of many ages have always left the pacific round of their usual occupations to fight in causes that were worth their lives -from Lexington to the Argonne. In times of peace we do not maintain a vast standing Army that might terrorize our neighbors and oppress our people. We do not like to rehearse interminably the cruel art of war. But whenever a tyrant from across the seas has threatened our liberties, our citizens have been ready to forge and use the weapons necessary for their defense. It is the men of the regular Army together with the citizen soldiers, our friends and relatives and neighbors of a few short days ago, and the men of all our armed forces, that we honor on Army Day." FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT

Africa

Apr

Asexual Day, International: April 6

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As part of the drive for inclusion in definitions of sexual orientation and greater visibility and acceptance of their lifestyle, a community of asexual persons, those with a lack of sexual attraction or absent sexual desire, created IAD Day, or International Asexuality Day. This event was first held in 2021 and is planned annually on April 6. Sexual orientation is defined as heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, and asexual.

Africa

Apr

Caramel Popcorn Day: April 6

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Caramel popcorn mixes sweet and salty, creating a delicious snack that satisfies both cravings. Dutch settlers in Pennsylvania used to make a special treat for the holidays from corn they cooked in oil with salt and sugar, which is why we call it "kettle corn," and it's different from caramel popcorn. German brothers Frederick and Louis Rueckheim opened a popcorn store in the United States during the 1870s. To expand their brand, they experimented with various toppings. They hit the winning combo when they mixed popcorn with molasses and peanuts. Today their invention is known as "Cracker Jack." Caramel popcorn can be made of molasses, drizzled caramel, or both. Today it is one of the most popular varieties of popcorn and is especially cherished during the holiday season. National Caramel Popcorn Day is an unofficial event with no sponsor.

Africa

Apr

Care Sunday (C)(UK): April 6

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Care Sunday is part of the Lent observances in the Church of England, and it occurs on the fifth Sunday of Lent and initiates the high holy week of Passiontide.

Africa

Apr

Chakri Memorial Day (TH)(1782): April 6

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On March 6, 1782, Phra Phutthayotfa Chulalok Maharaj, known formally as Rama I, King of Siam, established the royal succession and dynasty of Thailand, which continues to the present day. King Rama claimed the throne of Siam via military conquest, crowning himself on this day. He had 42 children, ten by his wife. Chakri Memorial Day is a public holiday in Thailand, marking this anniversary.

Africa

Apr

CMT Music Awards, Nashville (US-TN): April 6 (est)

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The CMT Music Awards first ran in 2001. They are country music's first fan-voted awards show recognizing the country's best video and musical achievements. This year's date has yet to be confirmed. The CMT Music Awards is consistently Country Music Television's (CMT) highest-rated and most-watched event of the year. Since its inception, the CMT Music Awards has become the hallmark of CMT's impact on the industry and contribution to the culture of country music. Performances and appearances by the biggest names in entertainment highlight the appeal that drives millions of consumers to vote and watch as their favorite contemporary artists and American icons gather for this annual celebration of the fans and the music.

Africa

Apr

Consider Christianity Week: April 6-12

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The goal of Consider Christianity Week is to equip Christians with the knowledge and ability to "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do so with gentleness and respect" (1 Pet 3:15). Not only will this strengthen their faith, but it will increase the effectiveness of their witness.

Africa

Apr

Crime Victims Rights Week, Ntl.: April 6-12

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The Office organizes National Crime Victims Rights Week for Victims of Crime (OVC). This weeklong initiative promotes victims' rights and honors crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf. The week's highlight is the National Crime Victims' Service Awards Ceremony. Visit the event's website for resources, statistics, and downloads: http://ovc.ncjrs.gov.

Africa

Apr

Daylight Savings (AU), Ends: April 6

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Daylight Savings in Australia’s southern states commences on the first Sunday of October (spring forward ) and ends on the first Sunday in April (fall back). The saying, “spring forward, fall back,” is an excellent way to remember, and it works in the northern and southern hemispheres as the seasons reverse. On this day, we move the clock one hour ahead at 2 AM in October or one hour back in April at 2 AM on Sunday. American Benjamin Franklin was the first to propose daylight savings time (DST) in 1784, and modern DST commenced in 1895. Throughout history, several variations of daylight savings ranged from 30 minutes to two hours. Only some nations observe DST, which can make setting appointments very challenging. The primary purpose of DST is to make better use of daylight hours for farming, early morning activities (such as children walking to school in daylight rather than darkness), and saving energy. The closer one lives to the north and south poles, the longer the period of daylight in the summer months. _______________________ DAYLIGHT SAVINGS ABOVE THE EQUATOR United Kingdom, Albania, Adorra, Austria, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Guernsey, Holy See, Hungary, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Jersey, Kosovo, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, and Western Sahara—Last Sunday of March (spring forward) and the last Sunday of October (fall back). United States, Bahamas, Canada, Cuba, Saint Pierre & Miquelon—Second Sunday of March; first Sunday of November Iran—Begins March 21/22; Ends September 20/21 Israel & Palestine—Friday before the last Sunday, March; last Sunday, October Jordan, Syria— Last Friday, March; last Friday, October Mexico—First Sunday, April; last Sunday, October _______________________ DAYLIGHT SAVINGS BELOW THE EQUATOR Australia—First Sunday of October (spring forward ); first Sunday in April (fall back). Brazil—Third Sunday in October; third Sunday in February. Chile—First or Second Sunday in September; first Sunday in April Fiji & Tonga—First Sunday of November; third Sunday of January. Namibia—First Sunday of September; first Sunday of April. New Zealand—Last Sunday of September; first Sunday of April. Paraguay—First Sunday of October; fourth Sunday of March. Samoa—Last Sunday of September; first Sunday of April.

Africa