LEGO Group founded in 1932

 

The LEGO Group was founded on August 10, 1932, by a man named Ole Kirk Christiansen. Mr. Christiansen decided to call his company “LEGO” based on the double meaning of the word – it’s derived from the Danish words “leg godt,” which means “play well,” and in Latin, “lego” means “I put together.”

Mr. Christiansen didn’t set out to create a toy company at first, though. Instead, he started a woodworking shop creating furniture, ladders, and other such items. To demonstrate his products, Christiansen would build miniature models of them. He soon realized that these miniature models were trendy among children as playthings and, at the height of the Great Depression, they were easier to sell.

Thus, the concept of LEGO toys was born. It wasn’t until 1948, though, that LEGO began producing the interlocking blocks they are now known for. At first, the bricks didn’t gain a lot of traction. Metal and wooden toys were still the trends, and the market hadn’t really warmed up to the idea of plastic toys yet. Still, Christiansen and LEGO stuck with the production of their plastic “LEGO bricks,” even moving away from the production of metal and wooden toys to focus on them entirely.

It turned out to be a good move. Over the years, the company continued to grow and expand, posting consistent positive earnings and growth save for a few short years in the early 2000s, where they had a bit of a downturn. In 2016, LEGO reported its highest earnings of all time, bringing in a total of $5.17 billion.

It isn’t just LEGO bricks that the company is involved in, though. In 2014, The LEGO Group and Warner Bros released The LEGO Movie, which received almost unanimous praise and had one of the highest-grossing openings of any animated movie. LEGO continued their expansion into media, releasing many video games and another animated film, The LEGO Batman Movie, in 2017. In addition to this, the company has also opened up several retail stores where they sell their products and a few amusement parks called Legoland.

All in all, it’s been almost a century of success for LEGO as they grew to be one of the world’s largest toy brands then expanded beyond toys in several exciting ways.

 

 

National Lazy Day (United States)

 

In the busy life of today, where productivity and deadlines rule the lives of individuals every day, a day off can seem like a luxury. But on August 10 of each year comes National Lazy Day, a much-needed break. It reminds one to back off, rest and simply do nothing. It is something one shouldn’t feel guilty about; it’s self-care.

Whether it’s catching up on your favourite comfort show, napping, or simply selecting stillness, Lazy Day is the ideal reason to relax and recharge both your mind and body.

World Moomin Day

 

World Moomin Day is celebrated annually on August 9th, which is also Tove Jansson’s birthday. Tove Jansson, a Finnish artist, created the beloved Moomin characters and their stories. The day is a celebration of her work and the whimsical, quirky world of the Moomins. Moomin by Arabia releases a limited-edition Moomin's Day mug each year on this date. 

Jim Corbett National Park established in 1936

The Jim Corbett National Park was established as India’s first National Park on 8th August 1936. Originally called the Hailey National Park after Sir Malcolm Hailey, it was later renamed The Ramganga National Park, but was finally renamed in honour of the famous local conservationist Jim Corbett after his death in 1953. It was home to the launch of the Indian Government’s Project Tiger programme in 1972 – probably the greatest undertaking in the history of natural conservation. It is now home to the greatest population and density of wild tigers in the world.

National Javelin Day (India)

August 7 is celebrated as National Javelin Day in India. The Athletics Federation of India, the governing body for athletics in the country, designated this date to honour Neeraj Chopra's historic gold medal win in the javelin throw at the Tokyo Olympics. This celebration recognizes his achievement and promotes the sport of javelin throwing across the nation.

On August 7, 2021, Neeraj Chopra made history by throwing the javelin 87.58 meters in the men's Javelin Throw final at the Tokyo Olympics, securing the gold medal. This victory marked India's first-ever gold medal in track and field events at the Olympics. With this achievement, Chopra also became the second individual gold medallist from India, following Abhinav Bindra's gold medal in shooting at the 2008 Beijing Games.

International Scuba Day

 

Every year, on the 6th of August, International Scuba Day is celebrated, inviting enthusiasts to plunge into the underwater world and explore. Scuba diving is a much sought-after underwater activity using apparatus like oxygen-filled tanks and breathing masks to comfortably breathe underwater and venture into the depths to see the mysterious and beautiful marine life up close. It’s almost like another world, another planet, evoking a surreal feeling to witness a thriving ecosystem under the ocean, where humans cannot survive.

Jamaica Independence Day

 

August 6 marks the day in 1962 when Jamaica officially gained independence from the United Kingdom, becoming a sovereign nation and a member of the British Commonwealth. The British Parliament formally passed the Jamaica Independence Act on July 19, 1962, which took effect on August 6th. 

Independence Day is a significant national holiday in Jamaica, celebrated with various events and activities across the island. It is often part of a week-long celebration that also includes Emancipation Day on August 1st. These festivities highlight Jamaica's rich cultural heritage and national pride, featuring parades, concerts, and vibrant displays of the country's black, green, and gold flag.