The Month of September
Even though the name suggests it is the seventh month, September is the ninth month of the year.
September's birth flower is Forget-me-not.
©bigstockphoto.com/maksheb
Naming September
September is the ninth month of the year in the modern-day Gregorian calendar and its predecessor, the Julian calendar. The month kept its original name from the Roman calendar where it was the seventh month. Septem means “seven” in Latin.
The month of September was named during a time when the calendar year began with March, which is why the name does not correspond with the placement in the Julian and Gregorian calendars.
- Middle English - septembre
- Latin name - september mensis - seventh month
- Anglo-Saxons - Gerst monath - Barley month
History of September
In older versions of the Roman calendar, September was the seventh month and had 30 days. After January and February were added to the calendar, it eventually became the ninth month and was shortened to 29 days. The 30th day was added again as part of the Julian calendar reform in 153 BCE.
Back to School
September is a time when many students return to school after the summer holiday in the Northern Hemisphere. September starts on the same day of the week as December every year. It does not end on the same day of the week as any other month in the year.
Birthstone in September
For those born in September, the birth flowers are the forget-me-not, morning glory, and aster.
The birthstone for September is the sapphire which symbolizes clear thinking.
Holidays in September and the rest of the year