How Many July Birthday Facts Do You Know?

"July is a blind date with summer."
-Hal Borland
 

Welcome to July!

 

(I loved the quote above---you never quite know what you’ll get weather-wise in July, at least in many parts of the United States)

 

Whether you were born in July, need a gift for someone with a birthday this month, or just like to be in the know, you’re in the right place.

 

Keep reading to learn these things about the 7th month, filled with 31 days. Or just click on the link below to jump to that particular section:

 

July’s Birthstone

The birthstone of July is the ruby.

 

Rubies are typically a deep red, though some less valuable ones may have a bit of orange or purple color in them.

 

The ruby is known as the king of gems. It symbolizes health, wisdom and love. Legend has it that a person who wearing a fine red Ruby receives good fortune. 

Ruby is July's birthstone

 The ruby is July's birthstone.

 

July's Birth Flowers

The birth flowers of July are larkspurs and water lilies—both very noticeable, yet extremely different from one another!

 

Larkspurs are a taller flower with dainty blue blossoms along its stalk. Since Mother Nature doesn’t make many things in blue, it’s a favorite of many.

 

Often seen in gardens, larkspurs can range in color from pale blue to a deep, dark blue. They’re also known as delphiniums.

 

Larkspurs symbolize strong bonds of love, whether romantic, platonic, or just a positive openness for all.

Larkspur is July's birth flower

 Larkspur, also called delphinium, is one of July's birth flowers.

 

Water lilies are lotus-like flowers that float on the surface of fresh water. 


If you could peer about 18” underneath the surface of the pond, stream, or lake, you’d find this graceful flower grew up from the mud. As its stem continues upward, it blooms once it reaches the water.

 

There are dozens of species of water lilies, so you can find them in a range of colors and sizes.

 

Water lilies close-up at night and reopen at dawn. It’s no surprise then they symbolize rebirth and purity.

 

Their transformation from unseen stem in the mud to a floating beauty on the water can also represent the resurrection or the enlightenment.

 

The water lily is July's birth flower

 Water lilies are one of July's two birth flowers.

 

July’s Zodiac Signs

Cancer and Leo are the zodiac signs associated with the month of July. Cancer is for people who are born on June 21 to July 22, while Leo covers those with birthdays July 23 and August 22.

 

The color for Cancer is white and its symbol is a crab. Those born under the sign of Cancer are typically very compassionate and intuitive. They value loyalty and have a sentimental nature.

 

Other traits of people belonging to the Cancer sign:

  • Take relationships and friendships very seriously
  • Can be emotional and intense
  • Quick to share and trust others
  • A strong willingness to listen

 

Cancer is one of July's zodiac signs

Cancer is the zodiac sign from June 21 to July 22.

 

The colors for Leo are yellow and orange, which represents the color of the sun. Its zodiac symbol is a lion, which is why most Leos are dominant and self-confident. Leos are ambitious and optimistic, which often puts them in a leadership position.

 

Here are the other traits Leos are said to possess:

  • Creative, generous, and passionate
  • Take initiative to solve complicated problems
  • May need validation from others
  • Bold, courageous, and intelligent
  • Inspire others to be the best that they can be

 

Leo is a zodiac sign of late July and early August

Leo is the zodiac sign from July 23 to August 22.

Happy Birthday America!


I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that the birthday of the United States falls on July 4th.

 

The USA’s birthday is typically referred to as the 4th of July or Independence Day. It’s a federal holiday that celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776 which marked the 13 American colonies breaking free from English rule.

 

Most Americans take advantage of the summer weather and celebrate with BBQs, picnics and fireworks displays.

 

What to get the US as birthday gift?

 

Peace, liberty and justice for all are most certainly on her wish list!  😉

 

Happy Birthday USA!

 

Famous July Birthdays

With the intelligence and passion that Leo and Cancer share, it is no wonder that a lot of great people are born in the month of July. 

 

You can also use the person’s birthday “twin” as inspiration for a gift.

 

Simply look up the person’s birthdate (or use our list below!) and see who might share their birthday. Use that shared connection for a gift idea

 

For my friend’s daughter who is in art school and has a July 6th birthday, I might gift a book of Frida Kahlo’s paintings.

 

My wonderful cousin Suzanne was born on July 11, as was the fashion icon Giorgio Armani. I could use that tidbit to select a fabulous scarf that she’d love

 

Living July Birthdays include:

July 1st - Pamela Anderson, actress

July 3rd - Tom Cruise, actor

July 6th - George W. Bush, U.S. President

July 7th - Pierre Cardin, fashion designer

July 7th - Michelle Kwan, figure skater

July 9th - Tom Hanks, actor

July 11th - Giorgio Armani, fashion designer

July 13th - Harrison Ford, actor

July 17th - Camilla Parker Bowles, second wife of England's Prince Charles

July 23rd - Daniel Radcliffe, actor

July 24th - Jennifer Lopez, singer

July 25th - Matt LeBlanc, actor

July 30th - Lisa Kudrow, actress

 

Deceased July Birthdays include:

July 1, 1961 - Princess Diana, member of the British royal family

July 4, 1872 - Calvin Coolidge, U.S. President

July 6, 1907 - Frida Kahlo, painter

July 9, 1819 - Elias Howe, inventor of the sewing machine

July 11, 1889 - E.B. White, author

July 11, 1767 - John Quincy Adams, U.S. President 

July 12, 1817 - Henry David Thoreau, author

July 12, 1817 - Andrew Wyeth, artist

July 18, 1918 - Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first black president

July 21, 1899 - Ernest Hemingway, journalist

July 24, 1897 - Amelia Earhart, American aviation pioneer

 

July Birthday Party Ideas 

July birthday party ideas abound! 


The summer weather means you can head outdoors for your birthday party whether that's your own backyard or the nearest beach or lake.


You could also host a Mexican fiesta for their July birthday!  (For details on how to host one, click here.)


Be sure to include red decorations to reflect July's birthstone.


Make decorating a snap with this birthday party from Birthday Butler. 


In less than 10 minutes, you can be ready to celebrate!

 

Just unpack this birthday party, perfect for a July birthdy!

Make their July birthday happier with this party kit!

 

July Birthday Gift Ideas

If you know someone with a birthday this month, you can gift them something that represents their birth month.

 

10 Birthday gift ideas for July

 

10 Gift Ideas for July Birthdays

1. Send them larkspurs.

2. Plant water lilies in their pond.

3. Give them a piece of ruby jewelry.

4. Get them a fabulous shirt in ruby red.

5. Give them something with their zodiac sign, such as a mug, earrings or a trinket dish.

6. Give them something in red, white and blue. Perhaps a cozy blanket for stargazing or a picnic basket.

7. For the history buff on your list, gift them a copy of the Declaration of Independence.

8. For the friend who loves outdoor fun, gift her and her family, tickets to a nearby water park.

9. Take the birthday person on an adventure!  Spend the morning at a Farmer’s Market and enjoy lunch at a restaurant you’ve always wanted to try.

10. Help them beat the summer heat by gifting them movie passes! Many upscale movie theaters today even offer cocktails and food service, or you could throw in gift cards for popcorn and snacks.