Every month, there are hundreds of national and international celebrations dedicated to raising awareness and support for meaningful causes.
For those working to bring attention to important topics, it can be challenging to keep track of the next relevant awareness event. We’re here to help.
At Good Good Good, we aim to help people feel more hopeful and do more good. For years we’ve privately curated a comprehensive list of important cause-themed holidays that we’ve used for creating content on our good news Instagram, our Goodnewsletter, our Goodnewspaper, and on this very website.
We’ve organized this list of observances and events by month — and are making them public for the first time. Our hope is that this will help you or your organization bring attention to important issues.
Where applicable, we’ve included resources (usually good news around particular topics, action steps on how to make a difference, or relevant quotes) — and encourage you to share them if you find them helpful.
The main days and months you should know about for August are:
| National Black Business Month | August 1 |
| World Lung Cancer Day | August 1 |
| Esther Day | August 3 |
| World Elephant Day | August 12 |
| National Nonprofit Day | August 17 |
| Remember Slavery Day | August 23 |
| Women’s Equality Day | August 26 |
| Anniversary of the March on Washington | August 28 |
| National Grief Awareness Day | August 30 |
August is the eighth month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. It has 31 days. Named after Roman Emperor Augustus, August marks the end of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. It also marks the beginning of winter in the Southern Hemisphere.
Explore our comprehensive list of national and international months, weeks, days, and birthdays for the month of August:
August Celebrations:
Awareness Months
There are several awareness months celebrated in August — though the six that often get the most attention include National Black Business Month, National Immunization Awareness Month, Don’t Be a Bully Month, Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month, National Road Victim Month, and World Cancer Support Month.
Appendix Cancer Awareness Month
Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month
Don’t Be a Bully Month
Read and share Hank Green’s iconic quote about bullying
Fat Liberation Month
National Black Business Month
Explore our guide to finding and supporting Black-owned businesses, restaurants, and more in your community
National Breastfeeding Month
National Civility Month
National Dog Month
National Hair Loss Awareness Month
National Immunization Awareness Month
National Make-a-Will Month
National Road Victim Month
National Traffic Awareness Month
National Wellness Month
Psoriasis Awareness Month / Psoriasis Action Month
Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) Awareness Month
Transgender History Month
World Cancer Support Month
Awareness Weeks
World Breastfeeding Week
August 1 to 7
Awareness Days
World Lung Cancer Day - August 1
Emancipation Day - August 1
Esther Day - August 3
Read and share this guide about how to celebrate Esther Day
International Clouded Leopard Day - August 4
Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act - August 4
National Oyster Day - August 5
Learn how oysters can be creatively used to clean the ocean
National Sea Serpent Day - August 7
International Moon Bear Day - August 8
Scottish Wildcat Day - August 8
International Cat Day - August 8
Anniversary of Mike Brown’s Death - August 9
International Day of the World’s Indigenous People - August 9
Get to know Indigenous activists making the world a better place
World Lion Day - August 10
Prisoners’ Justice Day - August 10
Mountain Day - August 11
International Youth Day - August 12
World Elephant Day - August 12
Meet the biologist who became an ivory detective
World Hirola Day - August 12
Gay Uncle’s Day / Guncle’s Day - 2nd Sunday of August
International Wolf Day - August 13
World Lizard Day - August 14
National Thrift Shop Day - August 17
Read and share this guide to the best online thrift stores
National Nonprofit Day - August 17
Read and share this list of nonprofit organization examples
19th Amendment Ratified - August 18
Transgender Flag Day - August 19
Learn about the history and meaning of the Trans Pride Flag and every other LGBTQ+ Pride flag
World Orangutan Day - August 19
World Humanitarian Day - August 19
Read our guide on ideas for celebrating World Humanitarian Day this year
Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day - August 20
World Mosquito Day - August 20
National Senior Citizens Day - August 21
National Surgical Oncologist Day - August 22
Read about other inspiring frontline heroes
Remember Slavery Day - August 23
National Honey Bee Day - 3rd Sunday of August
International Bat Night - August 26
Women’s Equality Day - August 26
National Faith HIV/AIDS Awareness Day - August 28
Anniversary of the March on Washington - August 28
Emmett Till Day - August 28
Learn about how to protect Emmett Till’s memorials and read this essay from his cousin
Wear It Purple Day - Last Friday of August
International Whale Shark Day - August 30
National Grief Awareness Day - August 30
International Overdose Awareness Day - August 31
National Zoo Awareness Day - August 31
Notable Birthdays
Birthdays of leading activists, nonprofit leaders, and other world-changers born in the month of August:
James Baldwin’s Birthday - August 2
Read all of James Baldwin’s best quotes
Greta Gerwig’s Birthday - August 4
Barack Obama’s Birthday - August 4
Read all of Barack Obama’s best quotes
Magic Johnson’s Birthday - August 14
Angela Bassett’s Birthday - August 16
Sean Penn’s Birthday - August 17
John Green’s Birthday - August 24
Read all of John Green’s best quotes
Marsha P. Johnson’s Birthday - August 24
Read about Marsha P. Johnson and dive into her best quotes
Mother Teresa’s Birthday - August 27
Read and share all of Mother Teresa’s best quotes
Fred Hampton’s Birthday - August 30
You might also like: The Best August Quotes
Explore More Events:
Main Awareness Calendars: All Awareness Holidays | Heritage Months | International Days
More Awareness Calendars: Animals | Pets | | LGBTQ+ | | Mental Health | Disability | Cancer | HIV/AIDS
Awareness Days & Months: January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
Is this list missing a holiday or awareness week/month? Let us know. We want to ensure this list is comprehensive and inclusive.
