September Holidays and Observances
This rich blue gemstone, famously set in Princess Diana’s/Princess Katherine’s engagement ring, is September’s birthstone.
What is sapphire?
Sapphire is actually the mineral Corundum, which has two primary gem varieties: ruby and sapphire. Rubies are red due to the presence of chromium, and sapphires exhibit a range of colors depending on what transition metal is present.
Honey bees can taste through this body part.
This British mystery writer, best known for her detective novels featuring characters Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, was born on September 15th, 1890.
Who is Agatha Christie?
Over the course of her career, she wrote 66 novels and 14 short story collections and was dubbed “the Queen of Crime”. She is listed by the Guiness Book of World Records as the best-selling fiction writer of all time—her novels have sold over two billion copies worldwide.
On September 1st, 1939, this European dictator ordered the invasion Poland, inciting the conflict that became World War II.
Who was Adolf Hitler?
Great Britian and France declared war on Germany on September 3rd, 1939 and by the end of 1941 the conflict involved virtually every part of the world until 1945 and it is the largest and bloodiest war in human history.
September has two birth flowers: the morning glory and this starlike flower which bloom in a wide variety of sunset hued colors (not mums).
What are asters?
The aster flower has a wide range of symbolic meanings, including patience, faith, love, valor and wisdom. Asters come in shades of purple, pink, white and blue, and the exact meaning of the flower can also vary depending on which color you're looking at.
How do honey bees communicate with one another?
Dancing
Honey bees do a dance which alerts other bees where nectar and pollen was located. The dance explains direction and distance. Bees also communicate with pheromones.
Born on September 5th, 1929, this comedian and actor was known for his deadpan and stumbling delivery style.
Who was Bob Newhart?
Beginning his career as a stand-up comedian, he transitioned his career to acting in television. He received numerous accolades, including three Grammy Awards, an Emmy, and a Golden Globe.
On September 16th, 1620, this ship departed Plymouth, England for America with 102 passengers and a small crew.
What is the Mayflower?
After a 66-day journey, on November 21st, the ship landed on Cape Cod, in what is now Provincetown, Massachusetts.
This powerful bird of prey, known for its keen eyesight, powerful talons, and hooked beak, is the September birth month bird.
What is the hawk?
This state is known as the Beehive State.
What is Utah?
This nickname comes from the beehive symbol, which represents the industriousness and hard work of the state's early Mormon settlers. The symbol appears on the state flag and various monuments, reflecting the community spirit and diligence associated with the early pioneers.
Known for her bold, distinctive voice showcased on hits like “Crazy” and “I Fall to Pieces”, this country star was born on September 8th, 1932.
Who was Patsy Cline?
Cline has been cited as one of the most celebrated, respected, and influential performers of the 20th century. She was the first female performer inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1973.
On September 3, 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed which ended this American war.
What is the Revolutionary War?
Based on a1782 preliminary treaty, the agreement recognized U.S. independence and granted the U.S. significant western territory.
While it became a federally recognized holiday in 1894, the first Labor Day was observed in this large US city on September 5, 1882 with a parade.
What is New York City?
A decade later, 23 more states had adopted the holiday, and on June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a law making the first Monday in September of each year a national holiday.
How fast does a honey bee fly?
15 miles per hour
Born September 8th, 1913, this 1936 Olympic track star won four gold medals in Berlin, Germany, and destroyed Hitler’s Aryan-superiority propaganda campaign.
Who was Jesse Owens?
While Jesse Owens was the first American athlete to win four gold medals in a single Games, he accomplished an even more impressive feat the year before, when he set five new world records and tied another during the Big Ten Track and Field Championships in Michigan, all while nursing an injury that nearly led to him withdrawing from the competition hours before it began.
This country that borders the southwestern United States celebrates their Independence Day on September 16th.
What is Mexico?
Mexican Independence Day commemorates the momentous day when priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla called on Mexicans to rise up against the colonial government of Spain on September 16, 1810. Father Hidalgo gave his famous grito battle cry in the town of Dolores, and his powerful speech rallied the people behind the movement. But this was only the beginning of the struggle for freedom, as Mexico wouldn’t gain full independence from Spain until 1821.
The last full week of September is designated as an awareness week for this cute marine mammal known for their sleek thick fur and playful curiosity.
What are sea otters?
Here are some other fun facts about sea otters: 90% of the population lives in coastal Alaska. They are considered a keystone species, which means that their populations affect health of the entire ecosystem. They have the densest fur of any mammal, due to the fact that they don’t have a blubber layer to keep them warm in the chilly waters of the Pacific Northwest. They eat up to 25% of their bodyweight daily and are considerably larger than their river dwelling cousins, weighing 45-90 lbs. The otter is one of the few species that has been observed using tools and exhibiting playful behaviors in adults. A group of resting otters is called a raft; otters are social creatures and like to rest together by wrapping themselves in sea kelp to keep from floating away. Researchers have observed concentrations of over 1000 otters floating together.
This ancient civilization was the first to practice widespread, organized beekeeping.
Who are the Egyptians?
Egyptians began beekeeping around 2500 BCE.
This president of the United States, who is rumored to have once gotten stuck in the White House bathtub, is the only president to have a birthday in September.
Who was William H. Taft?
Born on September 15th, 1857, Taft was also the only man to serve as both president of the US and a Supreme Court chief justice. After serving as president from 1909-1913, he was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Harding in 1921, on which he served until just before his death in 1930. To Taft, the appointment was his greatest honor; he wrote: “I don’t remember that I ever was President.”
On September 14th, 1901, this president succumbed to his injuries after he was shot in the abdomen eight days earlier, becoming the third US president to be assassinated.
Who was William McKinley?
McKinley initially appeared to be recovering, but his condition deteriorated rapidly when he developed gangrene. He was succeeded by his vice-president, Theodore Roosevelt.