Celebrate National Lighthouse Day Every August 7
Lighthouses were a symbol of safety and security for ships at sea for hundreds of years. They dotted America’s shorelines, guiding sailors safely to their destinations. And every year on August 7 we celebrate these iconic structures with National Lighthouse Day.
Modern technology has made the lighthouse mostly obsolete for its original purpose. But they are important historical symbols. And the sight of one still evokes a sense of nostalgia and wonder.
They may be “just” buildings, but many people are passionate about preserving the ones we have left. And lighthouses certainly deserve recognition for their years of dedicated service.
Unlike many “national” days, this one really is. In 1989 Congress designated August 7 National Lighthouse Day.
The August 7 date marks the anniversary of the day, in 1789, when Congress approved an act establishing and supporting “lighthouse, beacons, buoys, and public piers.” The act also authorized building the first Federal lighthouse.
You can read the text of the act on the American Lighthouse Foundation’s website.
About Lighthouses: Did You Know …
Lighthouses were built to mark both safe entry areas in harbors and dangerous coastal areas, like shoals, reefs and rocky coastlines.
Also:
- The light source is called a lamp. Light sources over the years have included open fire, candles, oil and finally electricity.
- The glass-enclosed room at the top—where the lamp is—is called the lantern room.
- Pedro Menendez founded St. Augustine, Florida in 1565. He later built a wooden watchtower on Anastasia Island which is believed to be North America’s first lighthouse. The tower appears on a 1586 map.
- The oldest lighthouse still standing is the Sandy Hook Lighthouse in New Jersey. Its beacon first shone on June 11, 1764, and it is still in operation.
Scroll down for some ideas on celebrating this officially nostalgic holiday.
Ideas For Celebrating National Lighthouse Day
If possible, visit a lighthouse. There are a few hundred left of the thousand or so that were built over the years.
They’re not all open to the public, but here are some that often appear on “most beautiful lighthouses” lists:
- Point Vicente Lighthouse in Palos Verde, California
- Pigeon Point Lighthouse, Pescadero, California
- Battery Point Lighthouse in Crescent City, California
- Nubble Lighthouse in York, Maine
- Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, Mount Desert Island, Maine
- Ten Pound Island Lighthouse, Gloucester, Massachusetts
- Split Rock Lighthouse in Two Harbors, Minnesota
- Horton Point Lighthouse, Southold, New York
- Huntington Lighthouse on Long Island
- Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, North Carolina
- Corolla Lighthouse in Corolla, North Carolina
- Umpqua River Lighthouse in Winchester Bay, Oregon
- Heceta Head Lighthouse, Yachats, Oregon
- Burlington Breakwater South Lighthouse, Burlington, Vermont
If you live near one of these, or another that will be open for the day, stop in for a visit.
Love lighthouses even if there aren’t any near you? Consider donating to a lighthouse preservation society (like the American Lighthouse Foundation) or other lighthouse organization.
(before donating, always do your research to make sure the organization uses the money in ways you approve of).
Do you collect lighthouses? Many people do! (miniatures, obviously!). Add a lighthouse to your collection in honor of the day (or start a collection!).
Do you have any other ideas for celebrating National Lighthouse Day?
[…] National Lighthouse Day: Celebrate the lighthouse, those symbols of safety and security, guiding ships to safe harbor and away from danger. Tour one if you can! Or just learn a bit more about them. […]