July has always been a month of activity. With the school year ending, plans for vacations are made and enjoyed. Of course, Summer Schools are held as are many other summer time activities.

Over a period of time many Anniversaries have been established, on July 1 and other days in July. For instance the first U.S. postage stamps were sold in 1847 when Congress authorized the production of stamps for nationwide use.

The first U.S. Zoo opened its doors to visitors on July 1, 1874 in Philadelphia. For twenty-five cents or less they could visit the 813 animals that lived there. Today the Philadelphia Zoo has more than twice as many animals and four times as many visitors.

On July 1, 1862 Congress passed, the nation’s first income tax bill in an attempt to help fund the American Civil War. It was first thought that the conflict would be relatively quick with an easy victory. This did not turn out to be the case.

Medicare went into effect on July 1, 1965. The 26th Amendment, passed by Congress and ratified on July 1, 1971 gave all persons, age 18 and older, the right to vote.

The dates of July 3 through August 11 are called Dog Days and considered the hottest days of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Originally Romans related the term Dog Days to the star sirius which they called the “Dog Star” and rose at sunrise.

On July 4, 1776 the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. It immediately became the nation’s most cherished symbol of Liberty and is now a big holiday nationwide.

Needless the say, July has had many more interesting things take place. It is about this time of year that we here at Blum’s Almanac are busy getting ready to have for you another edition of our Almanac in early September. The 2020 edition will be 192nd year this Almanac has been produced and we thank you for continuing to be a reader.

Despite what many people think, July is definitely not too late to start planting vegetables. July is also a good month to put in a second or third sowing of certain crops, such as carrots. It is also the perfect time to start planning the fall vegetable garden – fall will be here before you know it and so will the 2020 Blum’s Almanac. You may order by using any of the following:

Online: By visiting our Country Store
Phone: 1-800-776-2586
By Mail: Blum’s Almanac, 3301 Healy Drive,
              Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27103

YOU CAN USE THOSE WAYS TO ORDER ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

• A single copy for you or as a gift to a friend
• A three-year subscription
• A copy of our Almanac Gardening Calendar
• A copy of our Almanac Weather Calendar
• A FREE Blum’s Country Store Catalog
• Plus much more from our Country Store

We’ll look forward to hearing from you soon!