International Whale Shark Day on August 30 celebrates whale sharks and their epicness. The humongous fish happens to be the largest shark species on the planet, growing as much as 60 feet from the time of its birth. The whale shark is known for its slow and gentle behavior. It usually prefers to swim in shallow depths, but it is also found in waters as deep as 3,000 feet. Due to such factors, whale sharks are extremely easy to fish. People have been using them for their meat and fins. The whale shark market has led to at least a 50% decrease in the fish’s population. This is an alarming situation and the giant has now been placed on the endangered species list. The declining numbers also mean that the general marine environment is in danger too due to the threat of large numbers of plankton, which are one of the primary food sources for whale sharks.
Summer Bank Holiday (England and Wales)
On the last Monday of August we have Summer Bank Holiday (England and Wales), taking place on August 25 this year. It gives everyone a chance to enjoy the last of summer holidays before a continuous grind until Christmas starts. Initially created as a way to allow bank workers to watch a key cricket match, the Summer Bank Holiday is now a public holiday in England and Wales. What is interesting is that any public holiday is now referred to as a bank holiday. With a few exceptions, most businesses and bank branches are closed on the designated day. Festivals and carnivals become a source of entertainment for many people. The Notting Hill Carnival and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival are just some of the most anticipated highlight events during the Summer Bank Holiday.
National Cherry Turnover Day
National Cherry Turnover Day is celebrated annually on August 28 in the U.S. This is the perfect time to celebrate this dessert as it is almost the end of summer and people are still going outdoors for picnics or camping — so cherry turnovers make a great food item to carry along. A cherry turnover is a puff pastry that is stuffed with cherry filling and then baked until it turns golden brown. There are many variations to this dish but the classic remains a favorite.