August 1 is the 213th day of the year (214th in leap years); 152 days remain until the end of the year.
"One who is kind to the cruel will end up being cruel to the kind."
Born today
Meir Kahane, 1932, American-Israeli rabbi, ultra-nationalist politician
Observances
Armed Forces Day (China) or Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Liberation Army (People's Republic of China)
Azerbaijani Language and Alphabet Day (Azerbaijan)
Emancipation Day is commemorated in many parts of the former British Empire, which marks the day the Slavery Abolition Act 1833 came into effect which abolished chattel slavery in the British Empire:
Emancipation Day is a public holiday in Barbados, Bermuda, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago
Minden Day (United Kingdom)
National Day, celebrates the independence of Benin from France in 1960.
Swiss National Day, commemorates Switzerland becoming a single unit in 1291.
Official Birthday and Coronation Day of the King of Tonga (Tonga)
Parents' Day (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
The beginning of autumn observances in the Northern hemisphere and spring observances in the Southern hemisphere (Neopagan Wheel of the Year):
Lughnasadh in the Northern hemisphere, Imbolc in the Southern hemisphere; traditionally begins on the eve of August 1. (Gaels, Ireland, Scotland, Neopagans)
Lammas (England, Scotland, Neopagans)
Pachamama Raymi (Quechuan in Ecuador and Peru)
Victory Day (Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam)
Yorkshire Day (Yorkshire, England)
National Pinball Day (US)
National Spritz Day (US)
Play Ball Day (US)
Pinball is truly worthy of its own day. I don't remember ever seeing a pinball machine in Romania, but the video game delivered by default with Windows was trully addictive (like the other masterpiece, Minesweeper). I've entered in some very fierce contests with my roommates, that resulted in huge scores and insane fun...