July 3 marks the beginning of the “dog days” of summer according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac

July 3 marks the beginning of the “dog days” of summer according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. These dog days are widely known as the hottest days in the Northern Hemisphere. 🤒🌞🔥

But where do they get their name? The history goes back further than you may think.

The ancient Greeks and Roman named the hottest days of the year based on their coincidence with the appearance of Sirius, the dog star. 🐶🌟 Some
astrologists of the time even blamed Sirius for the uncomfortable heat, drought, and summer thunderstorms that characterize this time of year. 🤒⛈🔥

The “dog days” have been in the American lexicon since colonists arrived in America. In fact, the Old Farmer’s Almanac recorded “dog days” sayings such as this one from an 1817 almanac:

“Dog Days are approaching; you must, therefore, make both hay and haste while the Sun shines, for when old Sirius takes command of the weather, he is such an unsteady, crazy dog, there is no dependence upon him.”

Bathers in Asnières, Georges Seurat, 1884

-Written by Anna Zemaitaitis, Communications and Design Officer