September, the ninth month in our calendar, received its name from the Latin numeral septem, meaning “seventh” because it was the seventh month in the old Roman calendar. It became the ninth month when Julius Caesar changed the calendar to make January the first month. The middle of September brings autumn to the northern hemisphere and the beginning of spring to the southern hemisphere.
In Ancient Greece, September was called Boedromion. The Anglo-Saxons called it Gerstmonath, meaning “Barley month”, referring to the harvest. In other countries, it is referred to as Autumn Month; in Finland: (Syyskuu) and in German-speaking parts of Switzerland :(Herbstmonat).
It’s an important month in military history since it marks the official end of World War II, the signing of the unconditional surrender papers by Japan on September 2, 1945.
This is also a special month for veterans because The American Legion was chartered on September 16, 1919.
In late September the mothers who lost their sons and daughters in military service are honored with a day called “Gold Star Mother’s Day”
Since 2001, the month is remembered for the events of 9-11 and the destruction of the Twin Towers in New York City by Islamic terrorists.
Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.
The flowers for this month are the morning glory and the aster, and the birthstone is the sapphire.
September is also celebrated as the::
- Baby Safety Month
- Better Breakfast Month
- Chicken Month
- Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
- Classical Music Month
- Fall Hat Month
- Hispanic Heritage Month
- Honey Month
- International Square Dancing Month
- Little League Month
- National Blueberry Popsicle Month
- National Courtesy Month
- National Mushroom Month
- National Papaya Month
- National Piano Month
- National Potato Month
- National Preparedness Month
- National Rice Month
- National School Success Month
- National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
- Self Improvement Month
September 9 is the day on which California became a state in 1850.