Why call it “July” & not “Sunblaze?
Ah, July! The month of sizzling heat, ice cream cones, and fireworks. But have you ever pondered why we call it “July” instead of something like “Sunblaze”, “Heatwave” or ¨Hotmama¨? Let’s embark on a journey through time and unravel the tale behind the name of this sun-soaked month, with a splash of awe, sarcasm and historical tidbits! Ready to find out why July is called July?
The Legend of Julius Caesar
Let’s get one thing straight: Have you heard of Caesar? —this isn’t about the tiny guy on your Little Caesars pizza box. We’re talking about the real deal, the grand Julius Caesar. If you don’t know who he is, buckle up because we’re about to take a whirlwind tour through his life and the impact he had on our calendars.
Caesar: The Man Who Gave Us July
Our story begins with Julius Caesar, the famous Roman general and statesman who not only reshaped the Roman Empire but also our calendar. Imagine Caesar in a toga, frowning at his calendar and thinking, “This needs a serious upgrade!”
The Roman Calendar Chaos
Before Caesar swooped in like a time-traveling superhero, the Roman calendar was a hot mess. Picture this: a calendar that started in March (not January), had only ten months, and was always out of sync with the seasons. Yep, it was as confusing as trying to find a parking spot at a concert—one big scheduling nightmare!
The Roman Calendar Before Caesar: A Look Back in Time
Before Julius Caesar made his significant calendar reform in 46 BCE, the Roman calendar was quite different from what we use today. Let’s take a journey back to the early Roman calendar and discover the months of old, their names, and what they signified.
The Early Roman Calendar: A Ten-Month Year
The earliest Roman calendar, attributed to Romulus (the legendary founder of Rome), had only ten months. The calendar year began in March, not January! Here’s a rundown of the months and their names:
1. Martius (March): Named after Mars, the Roman god of war, Martius marked the start of the new year and the beginning of the military campaigning season.
2. Aprilis (April): The origin of the name “Aprilis” is uncertain, but it’s often linked to the Latin word “aperire,” which means “to open,” possibly referring to the opening or blossoming of flowers and trees.
3. Maius (May): Named after Maia, the Roman goddess of fertility and growth, Maius was a month dedicated to celebrating the earth’s renewal.
4. Iunius (June): Named after Juno, the queen of the gods and goddess of marriage and childbirth, Iunius was a month associated with the divine protection of women and families.
5. Quintilis (July): As the fifth month, its name means “fifth” in Latin. This month was later renamed “Julius” (July) in honor of Julius Caesar.
6. Sextilis (August): Sextilis means “sixth” in Latin. It was later renamed “Augustus” (August) in honor of Emperor Augustus.
7. September (September): From the Latin word “septem,” meaning “seven,” this was the seventh month.
8. October (October): From “octo,” meaning “eight,” this was the eighth month.
9. November (November): From “novem,” meaning “nine,” this was the ninth month.
10. December (December): From “decem,” meaning “ten,” this was the tenth and final month.
The Missing Months
After December, there were no official months in the calendar until the new year began again in March. This left a gap of about 60 days that were not assigned to any specific month, making the calendar quite chaotic and unaligned with the solar year.
Caesar’s Calendar Reform
Julius Caesar’s calendar reform in 46 BCE introduced a new structure with 12 months, aligning the year with the solar cycle and making it more consistent. The months of January and February were added to the beginning of the year to fill in the gaps, and the calendar was realigned with the solar year.
With this reform, Quintilis was renamed “July” in honor of Caesar, and Sextilis was renamed “August” to honor Emperor Augustus, reflecting the impact of influential figures on the Roman calendar.
Caesar’s Big Reform
Enter Caesar with his grand plan, introducing the Julian calendar, inspired by the Egyptian solar calendar. This new calendar had 12 months and 365 days in a year, with an extra day added every four years—a leap year! It was a major improvement, making it easier to keep track of seasons and plan agricultural activities. Imagine Caesar proudly declaring, “Let’s fix this calendar and make it fabulous!”
The Renaming of Quintilis to July
But that’s not all! The month Quintilis, which was the fifth month in the old Roman calendar, got a name change to honor Caesar. In 44 BCE, the Roman Senate decided to rename Quintilis to “Julius,” or “July” for short, to commemorate Caesar’s contributions, especially his calendar reform. It’s like giving him a month-long celebration!
Why “July” and Not “Caesar”?
You might be wondering why they chose “July” instead of “Caesar.” Well, “July” just has a better ring to it. Plus, “Caesar” sounds more like a grand title for a Roman emperor rather than a friendly month of summer.
The Legacy of July
Fast forward to today, and July is a time when we celebrate not just summer but also the enduring legacy of Julius Caesar. His calendar reforms brought stability to timekeeping and influenced calendars around the world. So, when you enjoy a July day, you’re basking in the legacy of a man who changed the way we measure time.
Global Celebrations in July
July is more than just a name—it’s a month filled with global celebrations!
• United States: Independence Day on July 4th honors the nation’s founding with fireworks, parades, and patriotic festivities.
• France: Bastille Day on July 14th marks the start of the French Revolution, symbolizing freedom and democracy.
• Latin America: Peru celebrates Fiestas Patrias on July 28th and 29th with parades and cultural events, while Brazil’s Festas Juninas often extend into early July, featuring traditional dances and community celebrations.
Embracing the Spirit of July
July invites us to celebrate leadership, courage, and innovation. Whether you’re enjoying summer activities, reflecting on historical figures, or participating in national festivities, this month encourages us to embrace the warmth and energy of the season. So, here’s to July—a month named in honor of a historical giant and packed with celebrations that span the globe! Do you wanna know more about the months of the year?
The Origins of Month Names
Ever wondered why we call the months what we do? Dive into our blog, “Months & Days”, for a fun and fascinating look at the origins of month names. It’s like a time-travel adventure through history, with all the juicy details and quirky facts you didn’t know you needed! Romance in Spanish? Turn Up the Heat!
Spanish Romance
Looking to add a little spice to your Spanish? Check out our blog, “Things Spanish People Say in Bed”, for a playful selection of romantic phrases that’ll make your conversations sizzle. And if you’re ready to go bold, explore ‘El Sexi Chupacabras’ for even hotter expressions and sexy vocabulary. Learn how to say “I love you” and much more with flair! Want more?
Legendary Myths and Legends
Got a taste for the mythical and mysterious? Our ‘Legends & Folktales’ section is your gateway to enchanting stories featuring mythical beings like la Santa Muerte, la Llorona, la Ciguapa, and the infamous El Chupacabras. Discover the rich tapestry of Hispanic folklore and let these legends captivate your imagination.
Laugh and Learn
Feeling like a laugh while you learn? We’ve got you covered! While phrases like ‘¡Feliz Año Nuevo!’ or ‘¡Me Gusta la Chucha de tu Madre!’ might tickle your funny bone, we’re all about respectful and engaging language learning. Check out our ‘About’ section to see what fuels our passion for teaching, and don’t miss out on the free lessons at Kasa de Franko! Wait! Wondering what’s Kasa De Franko: Your Spanish Learning Wonderland.
Discover Kasa De Franko
Curious about Kasa De Franko? At KDF, we offer flexible, enjoyable, and affordable Spanish lessons for all ages. Our polyglot founder, Franko, brings deep knowledge and a love for both language and culture to every class. Wanna try it out?
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Ready to embark on your Spanish journey? Visit Kasa de Franko, your ultimate cultural and linguistic oasis. Sign up for a free class today and dive into a world of history, language, and culture. Hit that red button and get started on your adventure! And remember…
