August has long been framed in popular lore as a month of misfortune, a time when disasters and tragic events seem to cluster. Yet this perception rests more on coincidence and memory than on any real pattern. Scholars and historians, including Alexander Shirokorad, a prominent 360.ru commentator, note that unlucky associations with a calendar month are often shaped by selective recall rather than data. In other words, August’s reputation for bad luck is more about storytelling than about statistical reality. [attribution: Alexander Shirokorad]
In his assessments, August has witnessed a number of notorious episodes that people point to when discussing bad luck, such as high-profile attacks and historic crises. Still, Shirokorad emphasizes that these events do not establish August as inherently cursed. He argues that the human brain is wired to notice and remember dramatic events more than ordinary ones, which can create a skewed impression of a single month hosting more calamities than others. [attribution: Alexander Shirokorad]
According to Shirokorad, the notion of numerology or a destined unlucky cycle is not supported by evidence. He questions why June, for example, should escape the label of deadly simply because it witnessed campaigns by major historical figures. The point he makes is that large, decisive events leave lasting impressions regardless of the calendar month in which they occur. [attribution: Alexander Shirokorad]
Beyond August itself, the expert points out that other months have their own notorious chapters in history. October comes up in this context because of political shifts and leadership transitions that have happened at key moments, such as the late-tenure dynamics within the CPSU leadership surrounding the October plenum. This historical pattern underscores how public memory can latch onto particular times without implying a universal rule about luck or danger. [attribution: Alexander Shirokorad]
Shirokorad also notes that coincidences play a significant role in shaping public perception of late summer. The timing of military campaigns, supply routes, and weather conditions can influence how people interpret a month’s character. He points out that the ease of travel in August historically affected the pace of military movements, sometimes making late-summer campaigns look more decisive or dramatic than those launched in harsher seasons. When people associate August with vacations and social activities, the heightened attention can amplify any dramatic event that occurs during that time. [attribution: Alexander Shirokorad]
In discussing numerology and cultural beliefs, figures in the public sphere occasionally weigh in with personal reflections. For instance, former singer Nadezhda Babkina has shared thoughts on numerology, contributing to a broader conversation about how people search for meaning in numbers and dates. Her views are part of a wider discourse about how calendar symbolism can influence attitudes and behavior, even if those beliefs are not grounded in scientific evidence. [attribution: Nadezhda Babkina]