✨ Today’s Almanac
Moon Phase
Waxing Gibbous
~94% lit · in Aquarius · next full moon (Sturgeon Moon) Aug 28
Zodiac
Virgo
Aug 23 – Sep 22
Year Progress
Day 237 / 365
65% through 2026
Season Watch
28 days
until fall begins (Sep 22)
Nearly full and rising earlier each evening, the Moon is just three nights from the Sturgeon Moon — which arrives with a partial lunar eclipse this Friday.
On This Day · 1875
Captain Matthew Webb staggered ashore in Calais, becoming the first person to swim the English Channel unaided — nearly 22 hours after diving in from Dover, 151 years ago today.
Born Today · 1930
Sean Connery was born in Edinburgh, Scotland — the first actor to play James Bond on screen, and later an Oscar winner for “The Untouchables,” before his death in 2020.
National & International Days on August 25, 2026
Below are brief explanations of each observance celebrated on August 25.
National Banana Split Day
National Banana Split Day commemorates the invention of the iconic dessert by David Evans Strickler, a pharmacist’s apprentice in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, in 1904. Working at Tassel Pharmacy’s soda fountain, Strickler sliced a banana lengthwise, added three scoops of ice cream, and topped it with syrups, whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry. The creation quickly became popular, spreading beyond Pennsylvania and becoming a staple of American soda fountains. Latrobe proudly celebrates its legacy with an annual festival, and the U.S. Postal Service honored the banana split with a commemorative stamp in 2016.
National Kiss and Make Up Day
National Kiss and Make Up Day encourages reconciliation and forgiveness after disagreements. The phrase “kiss and make up” dates back to at least the 16th century as a symbolic way to resolve disputes. In modern times, Jacqueline Milton established the observance to remind people to let go of resentment and take steps toward repairing broken relationships, promoting harmony in both personal and professional life.
National Park Service Founders Day
National Park Service Founders Day marks August 25, 1916, when President Woodrow Wilson signed the Organic Act, creating the National Park Service. Tasked with protecting natural and cultural treasures “unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations,” the NPS today manages more than 400 sites across all U.S. states and territories, encompassing over 84 million acres. The day celebrates both the agency’s founding and its ongoing role in conservation, education, and stewardship of America’s landscapes and heritage.
National Secondhand Wardrobe Day
National Secondhand Wardrobe Day promotes sustainable fashion choices by encouraging people to buy pre-owned clothing. Long before thrift stores, garments were valued and reused, passed down through families or altered into new items. Charities like Goodwill and the Salvation Army formalized thrift shopping in the late 19th century, turning donated clothing into funds for social programs. Today, secondhand fashion has regained popularity as consumers seek eco-friendly, affordable, and unique alternatives to fast fashion.
National Whiskey Sour Day
National Whiskey Sour Day honors the classic cocktail that pairs whiskey with citrus and sugar in a refreshing balance. The sour cocktail family traces back to the 1700s, when sailors mixed spirits with lime juice to prevent scurvy. The whiskey sour was formalized in Jerry Thomas’s The Bartender’s Guide (1862), with early mentions appearing in U.S. newspapers by 1870. Its enduring appeal lies in its simplicity and versatility, making it a staple of cocktail culture for more than 150 years.
National Days to Explore
National Days in August
School Year
National Days — Academic Year 2026–2027
Year 2026
National Days 2026 — Aesthetic
Year 2026
National Days 2026 — Festive
Year 2026
National Days 2026 — Watercolor
Food Days · 2026
Food Days 2026 — Aesthetic
Food Days · 2026
Food Days 2026 — Festive