Augusztus

Augusztus is the Hungarian term for the eighth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar. It is the month of August in English and other languages, and it consists of 31 days. In Hungarian usage, augusztus marks the height of summer in most of the Northern Hemisphere.

The name augusztus derives from Latin Augustus, honoring the first Roman emperor, Gaius Octavius Thurinus. In the original Roman calendar, the month was known as Sextilis (the sixth month); it was renamed Augustus in the 1st century BCE after the reform associated with Augustus. The calendar later evolved into the Julian system and, in most regions, into the modern Gregorian calendar.

Cultural and seasonal notes: In many countries of the temperate zones, augusztus is a time of warm or hot weather and long days, often associated with holidays, vacations, and agricultural harvest activities. In Hungary, August 20 is a major national holiday known as Saint Stephen’s Day (Szent István napja), commemorating the founding of the Hungarian state. Other regions observe late-summer traditions and various religious feasts during the month, including the Feast of the Assumption on August 15 in many Catholic communities.

Astronomically, the sun is typically in the zodiac sign Leo for most of augusztus, with Virgo starting toward the end of the month. The month follows July and precedes September, and, like other months, its cultural significance varies by country and tradition.