August 1-31
1
Benjamin Mays
On August 1, 1894 Benjamin Mays was born. He was a minister, educator, scholar and social activist. He was known as the "The Father of the Civil Rights Movement" (Road Trip)
2
Friendship Day
*South Carolina educators, please register for an account on LearningWhy to gain access to these resources.
A group of nine African American young men who were sent to jail after staging a sit-in at a segregated McCrory's lunch counter in Rock Hill, South Carolina in 1961.
Documentary pays tribute to the “Friendship Nine,” a group of college students who were arrested for a lunch counter sit-in in Rock Hill, SC in 1961. Instead of paying bail (as was the norm with all previous sit-ins), they served 30 days of hard labor, making the city pay to house, feed & clothe them, thus turning the tables & drying up a dubious revenue stream. This movement caught on nationally, changing the entire sit-in strategy. The program was the centerpiece of 50th anniversary events, and still has legs today. It included extensive television, educational and community outreach initiatives.
National Coloring Book Day
3
Christopher Columbus
On August 3, 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail with the three ships Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria, from Palos, Spain. Columbus sought a route to the far east, but instead landed in the Bahamas on October 12. (South Carolina Focus)
4
Louis Armstrong
On August 4, 1901 Louis Armstrong was born. Armstrong is recognized as one of the world's greatest jazz coronet and trumpet players. (Artopia)
6
First Atomic Bomb
On August 6, 1945, during World War II, the first atomic bomb (named "Little Boy") was dropped by the B-29 bomber "Enola Gay", on the city of Hiroshima, Japan. A few days later on August 9, a second atomic bomb (named "Fat Man") was dropped by B-29 bomber "Bockscar" over the city of Nagasaki. The dropping of the atomic bombs was the main cause for Japan's surrender, and the end of the second world war. (South Carolinians In WWII)
7
Purple Heart Day
Visit our Memorial Day Collection
9
Book Lovers Day
August 9 is Book Lovers Day, an unofficial holiday that encourages people to pick up a book (or two) and spend the day reading. Be sure to visit our Libraries, Literature and Learning Collection for more information!
12
International Youth Day
International Youth Day seeks to raise awareness to the cultural and legal issues faced by youth throughout the world. The United Nations defines youth as people between the ages of 15 and 24 years. In 1995, the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) adopted the World Programme of Action for Youth, focusing on 15 priority areas including education, employment, hunger and poverty,health, environment and drug abuse. Since its inception on August 12, 2000, International Youth Day has served to increase the quality and quantity of opportunities available to the youth.
- American Graduate
- Apprenticeship Program Gives High School Students a Head Start | South Carolina Focus
- Healthy Hannah’s Healthy Choice Heroes
- Keep It Real (Ages 14 and up)
- Palmetto Scene
- Clemson Engineering Students Improve Healthcare-Related Companies | Palmetto Scene
- Cocky’s Reading Express Promoting Early Literacy Across S.C. Palmetto Scene
- Dillon Middle Schools Reading Program Creating Success for All | Palmetto Scene
- Gardens of Change | Palmetto Scene
- Girls Rock Columbia | Palmetto Scene
- Irmo Middle School Win a Wireless Lab Award | Palmetto Scene
- Technology at Allen University | Palmetto Scene
- Teen CEO Day: 8th Grade Students Learn About S.C. Career Opportunities | Palmetto Scene
- Teen Dating Violence | Palmetto Scene
- What is Human Trafficking? | Palmetto Scene
15
VJ Day – Aug. 15, 1945
View the World War II Collection under Wars and Conflicts
16
Battle of Camden
On August 16, 1780 General Horatio Gates' army joined by militia men from North Carolina and Virginia, marched south toward the British outpost in Camden, South Carolina. This battle become known as the Battle of Camden. (Southern Campaign Of The American Revolution)
17
Fredrick Bailey Dent
On August 17, 1922 Fredrick Bailey Dent was born. He was inducted to South Carolina Business Hall of Fame in 1994. He was among the founders of Spartanburg Day School and is a life trustee emeritus. (Legacy Of Leadership Interview)
19
National Aviation Day
National Aviation Day commemorates the development of aviation all while seeking to promote and support the industry. In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed that National Aviation Day would be observed annually on August 19, the birthday of Orville Wright.
- Aircraft | Eye Wonder
- Always First: The S.C. Air National Guard | Carolina Stories
- Amelia Earhart | Periscope
- Bennettsville: Palmer Field | Palmetto Places
- Charles Bolden | Periscope
- Charles Bolden | S.C. Hall of Fame
- Charles F. Bolden, Jr. | Conversations with Scientists & Astronauts
- Charles Duke | S.C. Hall of Fame
- David S. Lewis | Legacy of Leadership
- Donaldson, John Owen | South Carolina Public Radio
- Elliott White Springs | Legacy of Leadership
- Elliott White Springs | S.C. Hall of Fame
- Female Pilot | Science Splash
- Flight School
- Redfern Mystery | Mary Long’s Yesteryear
- S.C. Astronauts | S.C. Hall of Fame
- S.C. Astronauts | Venture
- Space Camp | Project Discovery
- Susan Leigh Still Kilrain | Conversations with Scientists & Astronauts
- Tuskegee Airmen
- Women in Aviation | Women in Leadership Collection
19
World Humanitarian Day
World Humanitarian Day seeks to recognize the compassion and bravery of humanitarian workers. Designated by the United Nations in December of 2008 to honor the sacrifices of humanitarian workers, it is celebrated annually on August 19, a day that commemorates the 2003 bombing of the UN Headquarters in Iraq.
Caring People & Professions include:
Health Care
- Emergency Room | Eye Wonder
- Robert Mason, Caring Clown | Original SC
- Hospital | Real People | Kids Work!
Other Caring Professions
- Arnold Postell, Shark Feeder | Original SC
- Disappearing Frogs Project | Palmetto Scene
- Dolphin Conservation | ETV Shorts
- Exhibit Allows Visitors to Care for Sea Turtles | Palmetto Scene
- From Coach to Teacher | Palmetto Scene
- Greenwood – Emerald Farm | Palmetto Places
- John Slaughter, National Park Service, on “Humanity” | Original SC
Character Minutes
One-minute clips focus on positive character traits—a fine way to build up-and-coming humanitarians!
Also, see our Environmental Awareness Collection to find ways to show that you care about the Earth and its inhabitants! And while we’re on this topic, don’t miss our Animal Lovers Collection!
20
Martha Rivers Ingram
On August 20, 1935 Martha Rivers Ingram was born. She is the first living woman and first daughter of a laureate to be inducted into South Carolina Business Hall of Fame. (Legacy Of Leadership Profile)
21
International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism
- Aerial View of United Nations
- Former Slave Elias Hill’s Untold Story | Palmetto Scene
- Rear Admiral Reubin Bookert | SC African American History Calendar
- Victory By Valor: Shaw Air Force Base, Part 4 – Shaw Facilities
- Remembering 9/11 Collection
- Col. Gordon Johnson | Generations of Heroes
- Eyewitness to 9/11 | An Upstate Story
- Eyewitness to 9/11: From Tragedy to Transformation | ETV Shorts
- Major Taibe A. Roy | Generations of Heroes
On August 21, 1937 Edwin Craig Wall Jr. was born. He was the respected as one of the most successful business leaders in South Carolina. (Legacy Of Leadership Profile)
23
International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition
- View the African American History Collection
- View the Topic, Slavery in South Carolina
26
Women’s Equality Day
View our Collection on the Women's Suffrage Movement!
View these additional resources:
- The First Suffrage Parade in South Carolina
- March for The Right To Vote Held in 1913
- The 19th Amendment
- Women Celebrate Passing of 19th Amendment
19th Amendment
On August 26 women celebrate the 19th amendment, which was passed in 1920. View our collections that celebrate the accomplishments of women leaders - past and present! View the blog!
- The First Suffrage Parade in South Carolina
- March for The Right To Vote Held in 1913
- The 19th Amendment
- Women Celebrate Passing of 19th Amendment
National Dog Day
Tips for keeping safe with dogs, including getting to know a new dog, allowing the dog to smell your hand, and not petting a dog you don’t know.
Border Collies herd sheep on a farm.
Many view Border-Collie dogs as ideal family pets, but they are also reliable and very hard working sheep-herding dogs.
Boykin is a well-known area for dog lovers, since Boykin is the ancestral home of the Boykin Spaniel. The Boykin Spaniel is the South Carolina state dog.
With the help of rescued dogs nobody else wanted, Healing Species’ trained instructors provide twelve classroom lessons in compassion/humane education and violence prevention to elementary, middle, and high school students in high poverty, high risk schools, and incarceration facilities, empowering children to speak up and change things for themselves and others. Since 2000, instructors and dogs have helped more than 100,000 students in over 150 schools and sites in South Carolina and in states where our Satellite Chapters operate. Parent classes are offered at each school or site.
Rusty, the Davis family dog, suffered a farming accident which took his two left legs. Miraculously, Rusty survived the accident, and was able to recover and continue riding in Bill Davis’ truck. Rusty’s dedication to his family is a testament to overcoming hardships.
A music video where Healthy Hannah shows walking the dog is a fun, convenient form of exercise.
28
March on Washington
On August 28, 1963, The March on Washington occurred. As many as 250,000 people attended this famous civil rights rally in Washington, D.C. It was here where Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his famous "I Have A Dream" speech. (Periscope)
View the section on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Periscope
National Bow Tie Day
16-Year-Old Entrepreneur | Carolina Money
29
International Day Against Nuclear Tests
This series will “pull back the curtain” on the Soviet Union nuclear disaster of April 26, 1986, with a special panel of experts to allow students to learn about the effects Chernobyl had on the nature, nuclear science, US-Soviet relations, and the people who worked there and called it home. Rare photos and video captured by SCETV in partnership with USC will take students to the area devastated by an accident of catastrophic proportions, but, over time nature has returned. Featured are footage and photos from when NatureScene visited the site of the reactor in 2003.
31
Charleston Earthquake
At 9:45 p.m on August 31, 1886, a major earthquake hit Charleston, South Carolina. 27 people were killed in the collapse of buildings and another 33 died later of injuries. View our collections on the natural disaster:
These factoids were compiled by Imani-Grace King, 2017 ETV Endowment Intern (Digital Media/Knowitall)
