A few facts about the month of August

Setting aside the political hiatus this month, we thought we would publish a few facts about the month of August. Did you know:

• In a standard year, no other month starts on the same day as August.
• In both standard and leap years, August always ends on the same day of the week as the end of November. In 2022 it will be a Wednesday.
• August is the only name – based on a month – that features in the top 1,000 male names.
• The first sandwich was made on August 6, 1762, when the Earl of Sandwich asked for a dish with meat between two pieces of bread. Legend has it that he ordered the meal in the middle of a gambling game which he did not want to interrupt.
• August 9th is the start of the Islamic New Year.

August is also a popular holiday month, the month during which we take our annual summer holiday.

And returning to our opening remark, August is a quiet month at Westminster, Members of Parliament are enjoying (?) their summer recess. At least they would be if the continuing uncertainty about who will be the Prime Minister was settled.

There is a general feeling that August is not a month for frantic activity but rather a time to enjoy what is left of summer. There will be much to report on come Autumn, when politics has settled down and we can take a hard luck at the challenges that winter may bring.