July (Month) - Facts for Kids

July was named after Julius Caesar, the famous Roman leader who was born in this month.

The Romans renamed July to honor Julius Caesar in 44 BCE, but it became the seventh month way earlier — around 713 BCE when King Numa added January and February to the front of their calendar!

July was originally called Quintilis in the Roman calendar because it was the fifth month of their year.

July marks the start of the Dog Days of Summer, which the ancient Romans believed were influenced by Sirius, the Dog Star.

July contains America’s Independence Day, marking when the United States declared independence from Britain in 1776.

July features Canada Day on the first of the month, celebrating the nation’s confederation in 1867.

July hosts Bastille Day in France on the 14th, commemorating the start of the French Revolution in 1789.

July was when the first human walked on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969.

July contains Nelson Mandela International Day on the 18th, honoring the South African leader’s birthday.

Natural World & Weather

July is typically the warmest month of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

July brings the midnight sun to areas within the Arctic Circle, where the sun never sets.

July sees emperor penguins huddling together in Antarctica during the Southern Hemisphere’s winter.