August 2022 NPS Birthday

As the National Park Service turns 106 on August 25, take a look back on how we’ve grown over the years. More than 400 national parks, dozens of community-based programs, and countless partners and friends. With so much to experience, we’ll highlight ways we’re modernizing to serve audiences that are growing with us.

Lewis and Clark Events That Happened This Month

(ready made posts to share)

On August 11, 1806, Pierre Cruzatte and Captain Lewis went hunting for some elk in the area of the “burnt hills” (today known as Crow Hills in northwestern North Dakota).Just as Lewis as about to fire upon an elk, a bullet struck him through the left thigh about an inch below his hip bone. Lewis was dressed in brown leather, and Cruzatte’s, having poor eye sight, had mistaken the Captain for an elk. Lewis Shot by Cruzatte (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

On August 13, 1805, Lewis finally made contact with the Shoshones, encountering a group of “two women, a man and some dogs.” Signaling his peaceful intentions, Lewis set aside his pack and rifle, and took a flag which he “unfurled and avanced singly towards them.” #LewisandClarkTrailMore on the First Flag Unfurling Site: https://www.nps.gov/places/first-flag-unfurling-site.htm

On August 20, 1804, Floyd passed away, most likely from peritonitis, caused by the inflammation or rupture of his appendix. He died from an illness that even the best doctors of the day could not have cured. The Sergeant Floyd Monument commemorates Sergeant Charles Floyd, Jr., the only member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to die on the journey. Sergeant Floyd Monument (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

On August 22, 1804, about 30 miles upstream from the burial site of Charles Floyd, the captains decided to appoint a replacement for the deceased sergeant. What would become the first official election held west of the Mississippi River, all the men cast their votes. #LewisandClarkTrail More: https://www.nps.gov/articles/first-election-west-of-mississippi.htm

On August 25, 1804, Lewis, Clark, and several of their men walked nine miles to Spirit Mound from their camp on the south bank of the Missouri River. #LewisandClarkTrailMore on Spirit Mound: https://www.nps.gov/places/spirit-mound.htm

Even before Meriwether Lewis and his initial group of men got out of sight of Pittsburgh on August 30, 1803, tragedy nearly struck the Expedition. #LewisandClarkTrailWhat happened? https://www.nps.gov/articles/the-accidental-shooting-on-brunot-s-island.htm

More August Themes and Activities

August 7: National Lighthouse Day

• Lighthouses and Lookouts NPS.gov tag(s): lighthouses

August 12: International Youth Day

• Youth Programs NPS.gov tag: youth
• Social media hashtag(s): #InternationalYouthDay

August 11–12: Perseid Meteor Shower Peak

• Night Skies NPS.gov tag(s): night skies
• Social media hashtag(s): #NightSkies, #DarkSkies

August 19: National Aviation Day

• Aviation NPS.gov tag(s): aviation, airplane
• NPS Careers NPS.gov tag(s): nps careers
• Social media hashtag(s): #AviationDay

August 25: NPS Birthday/Founders Day

• NPS Birthday NPS.gov tag(s): nps birthday, founders day
• Social media hashtag(s): #FindYourPark / #EncuentraTuParque, #FoundersDay

August 26: Women's Equality Day

• Women's History NPS.gov tag(s): women's rights, women's history
• Civil Rights NPS.gov tag(s): civil rights
• NPS Careers NPS.gov tag(s): nps careers, add additional tags for career field, cultural heritage, veterans...
• Social media hashtag(s): #WomensEquality, #WomensHistoryEveryDay