October is the tenth month of the year in the
Julian and
Gregorian calendar
The Gregorian calendar is the calendar used in most parts of the world. It was introduced in October 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII as a modification of, and replacement for, the Julian calendar. The principal change was to space leap years dif ...
s and the sixth of seven months to have a length of 31 days. The eighth month in the old
calendar of Romulus , October retained its name (from
Latin
Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...
and
Greek
Greek may refer to:
Greece
Anything of, from, or related to Greece, a country in Southern Europe:
*Greeks, an ethnic group.
*Greek language, a branch of the Indo-European language family.
**Proto-Greek language, the assumed last common ancestor ...
''ôctō'' meaning "eight") after January and February were inserted into the calendar that had originally been created by the Romans. In
Ancient Rome
In modern historiography, ancient Rome refers to Roman civilisation from the founding of the city of Rome in the 8th century BC to the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century AD. It encompasses the Roman Kingdom (753–509 BC ...
, one of three
Mundus patet would take place on October 5,
Meditrinalia October 11,
Augustalia
The Augustalia, also known as the ''Ludi Augustales'' ("Augustan Games"), was a festival celebrated October 12 in honor of Augustus, the first Roman emperor. It was established in conjunction with an altar to Fortuna Redux to mark the return of Au ...
on October 12,
October Horse
In Religion in ancient Rome, ancient Roman religion, the October Horse (Latin ''Equus October'') was an animal sacrifice to Mars (mythology), Mars carried out on October 15, coinciding with the end of the Roman agriculture, agricultural and mili ...
on October 15, and
Armilustrium
In ancient Roman religion, the Armilustrium was a festival in honor of Mars, the god of war, celebrated on October 19.H.H. Scullard, ''Festivals and Ceremonies of the Roman Republic'' (Cornell University Press, 1981), p. 195. On this day the weapo ...
on October 19. These dates do not correspond to the modern Gregorian calendar. Among the
Anglo-Saxons, it was known as
Winterfylleth
Winterfylleth (Ƿinterfylleþ) was the Anglo-Saxon or Old English name for the month of October. It marked and celebrated the beginning of winter.
The name of the month was recorded by Bede thus:
See also
* Anglo-Saxon
* Germanic calendar
* ...
(Ƿinterfylleþ), because at this full moon, winter was supposed to begin.
October is commonly associated with the season of
spring
Spring(s) may refer to:
Common uses
* Spring (season)
Spring, also known as springtime, is one of the four temperate seasons, succeeding winter and preceding summer. There are various technical definitions of spring, but local usage of ...
in parts of the
Southern Hemisphere, and
autumn in parts of the
Northern Hemisphere, where it is the seasonal equivalent to
April
April is the fourth month of the year in the Gregorian and Julian calendars. It is the first of four months to have a length of 30 days, and the second of five months to have a length of less than 31 days.
April is commonly associated with ...
in the Southern Hemisphere and vice versa.
October symbols
*
October's
birthstones are the
tourmaline
Tourmaline ( ) is a crystalline silicate mineral group in which boron is compounded with elements such as aluminium, iron, magnesium, sodium, lithium, or potassium. Tourmaline is a gemstone and can be found in a wide variety of colors.
The te ...
and
opal
Opal is a hydrated amorphous form of silica (SiO2·''n''H2O); its water content may range from 3 to 21% by weight, but is usually between 6 and 10%. Due to its amorphous property, it is classified as a mineraloid, unlike crystalline form ...
.
*Its birth flower is the
calendula.
*The
zodiac
The zodiac is a belt-shaped region of the sky that extends approximately 8° north or south (as measured in celestial latitude) of the ecliptic, the apparent path of the Sun across the celestial sphere over the course of the year. The pat ...
signs for this month are
Libra
Libra generally refers to:
* Libra (constellation), a constellation
* Libra (astrology), an astrological sign based on the star constellation
Libra may also refer to:
Arts and entertainment
* ''Libra'' (novel), a 1988 novel by Don DeLillo
Musi ...
(until October 22) and
Scorpio (from October 23 onwards).
[. Signs in UT/GMT for 1950–2030.]
*The French word octobre is shortened to 8bre.
October observances
''This list does not necessarily imply either official status or general observance.''
Non-Gregorian observances: dates
(All Baha'i, Islamic, and Jewish observances begin at the sundown prior to the date listed, and end at sundown of the date in question unless otherwise noted.)
*
List of observances set by the Bahá'í calendar
*
List of observances set by the Chinese calendar
*
List of observances set by the Hebrew calendar
All observances begin at sunset the day prior to the Gregorian date listed unless otherwise noted, and end on nightfall of the date in question, which is defined as the appearance of three stars in the sky. On leap years (which occur every 2– ...
*
List of observances set by the Islamic calendar
All Islamic observances begin at the sundown prior to the date listed, and end at sundown of the date in question unless otherwise noted.
Holidays for 1441 (2019-2020)
{, class="wikitable"
!width=20%, Date on Islamic Calendar
!width=20%, Gre ...
*
List of observances set by the Solar Hijri calendar
Dates in this table are determined by when the March Equinox falls. It will fall on March 20 from 2018-2023.
{, class="wikitable"
, - style="background:#efefef;"
! Holiday date !!Holiday name !! Description !!March equinox on March 19 !!March Eq ...
Month-long observances
*
Black History Month
Black History Month is an annual observance originating in the United States, where it is also known as African-American History Month. It has received official recognition from governments in the United States and Canada, and more recently ...
in the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
*In
Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
tradition, October is the Month of the Holy Rosary.
*
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), also referred to in the United States as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM), is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awaren ...
* Health Literacy Month
*
International Walk to School Month
* Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month
*
Rett Syndrome
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a genetic disorder that typically becomes apparent after 6–18 months of age and almost exclusively in females. Symptoms include impairments in language and coordination, and repetitive movements. Those affected often h ...
Awareness Month
* World Blindness Awareness Month
*
World Menopause Month
*
Vegetarian Awareness Month
United States
The last two to three weeks in October (and, occasionally, the first week of November) are normally the only time of the year during which all of the
"Big Four" major professional sports leagues in the U.S. and Canada schedule games; the
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America. The league is composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada) and is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United St ...
begins its preseason and about two weeks later starts the regular season, the
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League (NHL; french: Ligue nationale de hockey—LNH, ) is a professional ice hockey league in North America comprising 32 teams—25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. It is considered to be the top ranked professional ...
is about one month into its regular season, the
National Football League
The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league that consists of 32 teams, divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The NFL is one of the ...
is about halfway through its regular season, and
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...
is in its postseason with the
League Championship Series
The League Championship Series (LCS) is the semifinal round of postseason play in Major League Baseball which has been conducted since 1969. In 1981, and since 1995, the two annual series have matched up the winners of the Division Series, an ...
and
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada, contested since 1903 between the champion teams of the American League (AL) and the National League (NL). The winner of the World ...
. Prior to the
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identi ...
in 2020, which necessitated
changes to the sporting calendar and led to the four leagues' schedules coinciding earlier and more frequently than normal, there were 19 occasions in which all four leagues played games on the same day (an occurrence popularly termed a sports equinox), with the most recent of these taking place on October 27, 2019. Additionally, the
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League (CFL; french: Ligue canadienne de football—LCF) is a professional sports league in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football. The league consists of nine teams, each located in a ci ...
is typically nearing the end of its regular season during this period, while
Major League Soccer is beginning the
MLS Cup Playoffs
The MLS Cup Playoffs is the annual postseason elimination tournament of Major League Soccer. The final match of the tournament is the MLS Cup, the league's championship game. Under the current format adopted for the 2019 season, 14 teams quali ...
.
*American Archives Month
*National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month
*
National Arts & Humanities Month
*National Bullying Prevention Month
*
National Cyber Security Awareness Month
*
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
*
Filipino American History Month
Filipino American History Month (FAHM) is celebrated in the United States during the month of October. In 1991, Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) board of trustees proposed the first annual Filipino American History Month to ...
*
Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month
*
Polish American Heritage Month
Polish American Heritage Month is an annual event celebrated in October by Polish American communities. It was first celebrated in 1981 after organization by Michael Blichasz, President of the Polish American Cultural Center in Philadelphia. Origin ...
*
National Work and Family Month
= United States, Health-related
=
* American Pharmacist Month
*Celebrating All of October Dwarfism/Little People/Short Stature/Skeletal Dysplasia Awareness
*Dwarfism/Little People Awareness Month
*Eczema Awareness Month
* National
Dental Hygiene
Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping one's mouth clean and free of disease and other problems (e.g. bad breath) by regular brushing of the teeth (dental hygiene) and cleaning between the teeth. It is important that oral hygiene be carried out ...
Month
* National Healthy Lung Month
* National
Infertility Awareness Month
* Liver Awareness Month
* National
Lupus Erythematosus
Lupus erythematosus is a collection of autoimmune diseases in which the human immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks healthy tissues. Symptoms of these diseases can affect many different body systems, including joints, skin, kidneys, blo ...
Awareness Month
* National
Physical Therapy Month
* National
Spina Bifida
Spina bifida (Latin for 'split spine'; SB) is a birth defect in which there is incomplete closing of the spine and the membranes around the spinal cord during early development in pregnancy. There are three main types: spina bifida occulta, men ...
Awareness Month
*
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden unexplained death of a child of less than one year of age. Diagnosis requires that the death remain unexplained even after a thorough autopsy and detailed death scene investigation. SIDS usuall ...
Awareness Month (United States)
= United States, Culinary
=
*
National Pizza Month
* National
Popcorn Poppin’ Month
* National Pork Month
* National Seafood Month
Movable observances, 2022 dates
*
Oktoberfest celebrations
The Oktoberfest is a two-week festival held each year in Munich, Germany during late September and early October. It is attended by six million people each year and has inspired numerous similar events using the name ''Oktoberfest'' in Germany ...
(varies globally based on area)
*
Astronomy Day
Astronomy Day is an annual event in the United States and later in other countries, intended to provide a means of interaction between the general public and various astronomy enthusiasts, groups and professionals.
History
This event was start ...
: October 1
*
World Cerebral Palsy Day: October 6
*
World College Radio Day: October 7
*
Earth Science Week: October 9–15
*See also
Movable Western Christian observances
{{Use mdy dates, date=July 2017
This is a list of movable observances within Western Christianity. It includes secular observances which are calculated by religious observances.
''This list does not necessarily imply either official status nor gen ...
*See also
Movable Eastern Christian observances
This is a chronological list of moveable Eastern Christian observances. Most of these are calculated by the date of Pascha. It includes secular observances which are calculated by religious observances.
''This list does not necessarily imply eithe ...
October 2
*
Excessivism
Excessivism is an art movement. In 2015 American artist and curator Kaloust Guedel introduced it to the world with an exhibition titled ''Excessivist Initiative''.
The review of the exhibition written by art critic and curator Shana Nys Dambrot ...
(
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
First Sunday: October 2
*
Daylight saving time
Daylight saving time (DST), also referred to as daylight savings time or simply daylight time (United States, Canada, and Australia), and summer time (United Kingdom, European Union, and others), is the practice of advancing clocks (typicall ...
begins (
Australia)
*
Father's Day
Father's Day is a holiday of honoring fatherhood and paternal bonds, as well as the influence of fathers in society. In Catholic countries of Europe, it has been celebrated on 19 March as Saint Joseph's Day since the Middle Ages. In the Unite ...
(
Luxembourg
Luxembourg ( ; lb, Lëtzebuerg ; french: link=no, Luxembourg; german: link=no, Luxemburg), officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, ; french: link=no, Grand-Duché de Luxembourg ; german: link=no, Großherzogtum Luxemburg is a small lan ...
)
*
Grandparents Day (
Queensland
)
, nickname = Sunshine State
, image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Australia
, established_title = Before federation
, establishe ...
,
Australia,
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
)
*
Teachers' Day
Teachers' Day is a special day for the appreciation of teachers, and may include celebrations to honor them for their special contributions in a particular field area, or the community tone in education. This is the primary reason why countries ce ...
(
Belarus
Belarus,, , ; alternatively and formerly known as Byelorussia (from Russian ). officially the Republic of Belarus,; rus, Республика Беларусь, Respublika Belarus. is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by ...
,
Latvia,
Ukraine
Ukraine ( uk, Україна, Ukraïna, ) is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which it borders to the east and northeast. Ukraine covers approximately . Prior to the ongoing Russian inv ...
)
First Full Week: October 2–8
*
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a yearly hot air balloon festival that takes place in Albuquerque, New Mexico, during early October. The Balloon Fiesta is a nine-day event occurring in the first full week of October, and has o ...
(
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
*
Mental Illness Awareness Week
Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) was established in the U.S. in 1990 recognition of efforts by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to educate and increase awareness about mental illness. It takes place every year during the first ful ...
(
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
First Monday: October 3
*
Child Health Day (
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
*
Children's Day
Children's Day is a commemorative date celebrated annually in honor of children, whose date of observance varies by country.
In 1925, International Children's Day was first proclaimed in Geneva during the World Conference on Child Welfare. Sin ...
(
Chile
Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in the western part of South America. It is the southernmost country in the world, and the closest to Antarctica, occupying a long and narrow strip of land between the Andes to the east a ...
,
Singapore
Singapore (), officially the Republic of Singapore, is a sovereign island country and city-state in maritime Southeast Asia. It lies about one degree of latitude () north of the equator, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, bor ...
)
*
Labour Day (
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory (commonly abbreviated as ACT), known as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) until 1938, is a landlocked federal territory of Australia containing the national capital Canberra and some surrounding townships. I ...
,
New South Wales
)
, nickname =
, image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates:
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Australia
, established_title = Before federation
, es ...
,
South Australia
South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories ...
,
Queensland
)
, nickname = Sunshine State
, image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Australia
, established_title = Before federation
, establishe ...
,
Australia)
*
Peat Cutting Monday
Peat Cutting Monday or Peat Cutting Day is a public holiday in the Falkland Islands that is celebrated on the first Monday in October every year.
Traditionally, Peat Cutting Day was the time of year when Falkland Islanders went out to cut cubes o ...
(
Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands (; es, Islas Malvinas, link=no ) is an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean on the Patagonian Shelf. The principal islands are about east of South America's southern Patagonian coast and about from Cape Dubouze ...
)
*
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated on various dates in the United States, Canada, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Liberia, and unofficially in countries like Brazil and Philippines. It is also observed in the Netherlander town of Leiden ...
(
Saint Lucia)
*
World Architecture Day
*
World Habitat Day
First Tuesday: October 4
*
National Night Out
National Night Out is a community-police awareness-raising event in the United States, held the first Tuesday of August (Texas celebrates on the first Tuesday in October).
History
The event has been held annually since 1984, and is sponsored by th ...
(
Florida
Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to ...
and
Texas
Texas (, ; Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2020, it is the second-largest U.S. state by ...
,
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
First Wednesday: October 5
*
Children's Day
Children's Day is a commemorative date celebrated annually in honor of children, whose date of observance varies by country.
In 1925, International Children's Day was first proclaimed in Geneva during the World Conference on Child Welfare. Sin ...
(
Chile
Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in the western part of South America. It is the southernmost country in the world, and the closest to Antarctica, occupying a long and narrow strip of land between the Andes to the east a ...
)
First Thursday: October 6
*
National Poetry Day
National Poetry Day is a British campaign to promote poetry, including public performances.
National Poetry Day was founded in 1994 by William Sieghart. It takes place annually in the UK on the first Thursday in October. Since its inception, it ...
(UK, Ireland)
First Friday: October 7
*
Children's Day
Children's Day is a commemorative date celebrated annually in honor of children, whose date of observance varies by country.
In 1925, International Children's Day was first proclaimed in Geneva during the World Conference on Child Welfare. Sin ...
(
Singapore
Singapore (), officially the Republic of Singapore, is a sovereign island country and city-state in maritime Southeast Asia. It lies about one degree of latitude () north of the equator, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, bor ...
)
*
Lee National Denim Day
Lee National Denim Day is a fundraiser created by Lee Jeans to support the women's cancer programs of the Entertainment Industry Foundation. Every year, people are asked to donate the money they would spend on a pair of jeans to support breast ...
(
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
*
World Smile Day
Harvey Ross Ball (July 10, 1921 – April 12, 2001) was an American commercial artist. He is recognized as the designer of a popular smiley graphic picture, which became an enduring and notable international icon. He never applied for a tradem ...
Second Saturday: October 8
*
International Migratory Bird Day (
Mexico
Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatema ...
,
Central and
South America
South America is a continent entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere at the northern tip of the continent. It can also be described as the sout ...
, and the
Caribbean)
*
Home Movie Day (
International observance
Lists of holidays by various categorizations.
Religious holidays
Abrahamic holidays (Middle Eastern)
Jewish holidays
* Chag HaMatzot (Feast of Unleavened Bread – 7 days of consumption of matzo with wine and avoidance of leavened food ...
)
*
National Tree Planting Day (
Mongolia
Mongolia; Mongolian script: , , ; lit. "Mongol Nation" or "State of Mongolia" () is a landlocked country in East Asia, bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south. It covers an area of , with a population of just 3.3 million, ...
)
Second Sunday: October 9
*
National Grandparents Day
Grandparents' Day or National Grandparents' Day is a secular holiday celebrated in various countries; it is celebrated to show the bond between grandparents and grandchildren. It occurs on various days of the year, either as one holiday or someti ...
(
Germany
Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...
,
Hong Kong
Hong Kong ( (US) or (UK); , ), officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (abbr. Hong Kong SAR or HKSAR), is a city and special administrative region of China on the eastern Pearl River Delta i ...
)
Week of October 9: October 9–15
*
Fire Prevention Week National Fire Prevention Week is observed in the United States and Canada, during the week (from Sunday to Saturday) in which October 9 falls.
In the United States, the first Presidential proclamation of Fire Prevention Week was made in 1925 by Pre ...
(
Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...
,
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
**
Fire Service Recognition Day (
Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...
), last day of Fire Prevention Week: October 10
Week of October 10: October 9–15
*
Fiji Week (Fiji)
Second Monday: October 10
*Columbus Day (
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
**Indigenous Peoples' Day (Parts of the United States)
**Native American Day (South Dakota,
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
*Fraternal Day (Alabama,
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
*Health and Sports Day (Japan)
*Public holidays in Malawi, Mother's Day (Malawi)
*Public holidays in Norfolk Island, Norfolk Island Agricultural Show Day (Norfolk Island)
*Thanksgiving (Canada)
*National Day (Republic of China)
Second Tuesday: October 11
*Ada Lovelace Day
Second Wednesday: October 12
*September Declaration, Policy Statement of Belgian Parliament (Belgium)
Wednesday of second full week in October: October 12
*National Fossil Day (
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
Second Thursday: October 13
*World Sight Day
Second Friday: October 14
*Arbor Day (Namibia)
*List of food days#Global or International, World Egg Day
Third Saturday: October 15
*Sweetest Day (
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
Third Sunday: October 16
*Teacher's Day (Brazil)
*Mother's Day (Argentina)
Third Monday: October 17
*Heroes' Day (Jamaica)
*Mother's Day (Argentina)
*Nanomonestotse (Native Americans in the United States, Native American communities)
*Boss's Day (United States, Canada, Lithuania and Romania)
Third Thursday: October 20
*World Council of Credit Unions#International Credit Union Day, International Credit Union Day
Fourth Saturday: October 22
*
Children's Day
Children's Day is a commemorative date celebrated annually in honor of children, whose date of observance varies by country.
In 1925, International Children's Day was first proclaimed in Geneva during the World Conference on Child Welfare. Sin ...
(Malaysia)
*USA Weekend#Make a Difference Day, Make a Difference Day (
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
Week of Fourth Wednesday: October 23–29
*Children's Day#Australia, Children's Week (
Australia)
Fourth Monday: October 24
*Labour Day#New Zealand, Labour Day (New Zealand)
Fourth Wednesday: October 26
*
Children's Day
Children's Day is a commemorative date celebrated annually in honor of children, whose date of observance varies by country.
In 1925, International Children's Day was first proclaimed in Geneva during the World Conference on Child Welfare. Sin ...
(
Australia)
Last Friday: October 28
*CanTeen, National Bandanna Day (
Australia)
*Nevada Day (Nevada,
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
) (though the state was actually admitted on October 31, 1864)
*Teacher's Day (
Australia) (If the last Friday is on October 31, this holiday is moved to November 7)
Last Sunday: October 30
*Daylight saving time, European Summer Time ends
*
Grandparents Day (
New South Wales
)
, nickname =
, image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates:
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Australia
, established_title = Before federation
, es ...
,
Australia)
*Székely Autonomy Day (Romania)
Last Monday: October 31
*October Holiday (Ireland)
Fixed observances
*October 1
**Armed Forces Day (South Korea)
**
Children's Day
Children's Day is a commemorative date celebrated annually in honor of children, whose date of observance varies by country.
In 1925, International Children's Day was first proclaimed in Geneva during the World Conference on Child Welfare. Sin ...
(El Salvador, Guatemala, Sri Lanka)
**Public holidays in Azerbaijan, Day of Prosecutors (Azerbaijan)
**Continuance of List of Month-long observances#October, German-American Heritage Months, which runs from September 15 – October 15 (
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
**Continuance of National Hispanic Heritage Month which runs from September 15 – October 15 (
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
),
**Public holidays in Russia#List of other public holidays, commemorative and professional days, Ground Forces Day (Russia)
**Independence Day (Cyprus)
**Independence Day (Nigeria)
**Independence Day (Palau)
**Independence Day (Tuvalu)
**International Coffee Day
**International Day of Older Persons
**International Music Council, International Music Day
**Lincolnshire Day (
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
)
**National Day of the People's Republic of China (People's Republic of China)
**Pancasila Sanctity Day (Indonesia)
**Teacher's Day (Uzbekistan)
**Unification Day (Cameroon)
**World Vegetarian Day
*October 2
**Batik Day (Indonesia)
**Feast of the Guardian Angels
***National Grandparents Day#Italy, National Grandparents Day (Italy)
**Mahatma Gandhi, Gandhi's birthday-related observances:
***Gandhi Jayanti (India)
***International Day of Non-Violence
***World Day for Farmed Animals
**Independence Day (Guinea)
*October 3
**Gaecheonjeol (South Korea)
**German Unity Day (
Germany
Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...
)
**Iraq#British Mandate and Kingdom, National Day (Iraq)
**Morazán Day (Honduras)
*October 4
** Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi
**List of food days#Sweden, Cinnamon Roll Day (Sweden)
**Day of Peace and Reconciliation (Mozambique)
**Independence Day (Lesotho)
**World Animal Day
**The beginning of World Space Week (October 4–10)
*October 5
**Armed Forces Day#Indonesia, Armed Forces Day (Indonesia)
**Constitution Day (Vanuatu)
**Engineer's Day (Bolivia)
**International Day of No Prostitution
**Republic Day (Portugal)
**Teachers' Day (Pakistan)
**Teachers' Day#By country, Teachers' Day (Russia)
**World Teachers' Day
*October 6
**Day of Commemoration and National Mourning (Turkmenistan)
**Dukla Pass Victims Day (Slovakia)
**German-American Day (
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
**Memorial Day for the Martyrs of Arad (Hungary)
**List of food days#October, National Noodle Day (
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
**
Teachers' Day
Teachers' Day is a special day for the appreciation of teachers, and may include celebrations to honor them for their special contributions in a particular field area, or the community tone in education. This is the primary reason why countries ce ...
(Sri Lanka)
**Yom Kippur War commemorations:
***Armed Forces Day (Egypt)
***Tishreen Liberation Day (Syria)
*October 7
**Our Lady of the Rosary
**List of awareness days#October, International Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day
**
Teachers' Day
Teachers' Day is a special day for the appreciation of teachers, and may include celebrations to honor them for their special contributions in a particular field area, or the community tone in education. This is the primary reason why countries ce ...
(Laos)
*October 8
**Indian Air Force, Air Force Day (India)
**Arbor Day#Namibia, Arbor Day (Namibia)
**National Independence Day (Croatia)
**Peruvian Navy, Navy Day (Peru)
*October 9
**Hangul Day (South Korea)
**Independence Day (Uganda)
**Independence of Guayaquil (Ecuador)
**Leif Erikson Day (United States, Iceland and Norway)
**National Day of Commemorating the Holocaust (Romania)
**Takayama Autumn Festival (Takayama, Gifu, Takayama, Japan)
**World Post Day
**Valencian Community Day (Spain)
*October 10
**Arbor Day (Poland)
**Capital Liberation Day (Vietnam)
**Double Ten Day (Taiwan)
**Fiji Day (Fiji)
**Finnish Literature Day (Finland)
**Independence Day (Cuba)
**Party Foundation Day (North Korea)
**World Mental Health Day
*October 11
**General Pulaski Memorial Day (United States)
**International Day of the Girl Child
**Newspaper Carrier Day, International Newspaper Carrier Day
**National Coming Out Day (multinational, including United States, United Kingdom and Switzerland among others)
**Old Michaelmas Day (Celts, Celtic)
**Revolution Day (Republic of Macedonia)
*October 12
**
Children's Day
Children's Day is a commemorative date celebrated annually in honor of children, whose date of observance varies by country.
In 1925, International Children's Day was first proclaimed in Geneva during the World Conference on Child Welfare. Sin ...
(Brazil)
**Discovery of America by Christopher Columbus, Columbus-related observances (''see also October 8''):
***Columbus Day (Honduras)
***Día de la Hispanidad or Fiesta Nacional de España, also Armed Forces Day (Spain)
***Día de la Raza (El Salvador, Uruguay)
***Día de la Resistencia Indígena, "Day of Indigenous Resistance" (Venezuela)
***Día de las Américas (Belize)
***Día de las Culturas, "Day of the Cultures" (Costa Rica)
***Día del Respeto a la Diversidad Cultural, "Day of respect for cultural diversity" (Argentina)
**Discovery Day (The Bahamas, Colombia)
**Feast for Life of Aleister Crowley, celebrated as "Crowleymas" (Thelema)
**Fiesta Nacional de España (Spain)
**Freethought Day
**Independence Day (Equatorial Guinea), celebrates the independence of Equatorial Guinea from Spain in 1968.
**UN Spanish Language Day (United Nations)
*October 13
**Public holidays in Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani Railway Day (Azerbaijan)
**Doi taikomatsuri October 13–15 (Shikokuchūō, Ehime, Japan)
**International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction
**National Police Day (Thailand)
**Public holidays in Poland, Paramedics' Day (Poland)
**Rwagasore Day (Burundi)
*October 14
**World Standards Day
*October 15
**Europa Donna, Breast Health Day (Europe)
**Public holidays in Tunisia, Evacuation Day (Tunisia)
**Global Handwashing Day
**Public holidays in Cambodia, King Father's Commemoration Day (Cambodia)
**National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (United States)
**Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day (United States and Canada)
**Spirit Day (
International observance
Lists of holidays by various categorizations.
Religious holidays
Abrahamic holidays (Middle Eastern)
Jewish holidays
* Chag HaMatzot (Feast of Unleavened Bread – 7 days of consumption of matzo with wine and avoidance of leavened food ...
)
**
Teachers' Day
Teachers' Day is a special day for the appreciation of teachers, and may include celebrations to honor them for their special contributions in a particular field area, or the community tone in education. This is the primary reason why countries ce ...
(Brazil)
**White Cane Safety Day (United States)
*October 16
**World Food Day
**Pope John Paul II Day (Poland)
**World Anaesthesia Day
*October 17
**Dessalines Day (Haiti)
**International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
**Loyalty Day (Argentina)
*October 18
**Alaska Day (Alaska, United States)
**Independence Day (Azerbaijan)
**Necktie Day (Croatia)
**Persons Day (Canada)
**International Menopause Society#Resources and publications, World Menopause Day
*October 19
** Niue Constitution Act, Constitution Day (Niue)
** Mother Teresa Day (Albania)
** World Toilet Day
*October 20
**Arbor Day#Czech Republic, Arbor Day (Czech Republic)
**Heroes' Day (Kenya)
**Revolution Day (Guatemala)
**Vietnamese Women's Day (Vietnam)
**World Osteoporosis Day
**World Statistics Day
*October 21
**Apple Day (United Kingdom)
**Public holidays in Honduras, Armed Forces Day (Honduras)
**Public holidays in Egypt, Egyptian Naval Day (Egypt)
**Central Reserve Police Force, Indian Police Commemoration Day (India)
**International Day of the Nacho
**National Nurses' Day (Thailand)
**Ndadaye Day (Burundi)
**Overseas Chinese Day (Taiwan)
**Trafalgar Day (the British Empire in the 19th and early 20th century)
*October 22
**Gustav Fechner, Fechner Day (
International observance
Lists of holidays by various categorizations.
Religious holidays
Abrahamic holidays (Middle Eastern)
Jewish holidays
* Chag HaMatzot (Feast of Unleavened Bread – 7 days of consumption of matzo with wine and avoidance of leavened food ...
)
**Caps lock#International Caps Lock Day, International Caps Lock Day
**International Stuttering Awareness Day
**Jidai Matsuri (Kyoto, Japan)
**Public holidays in Indonesia, National Santri Day (Indonesia)
**Wombat Day (
Australia)
*October 23
**Armed Forces Day#Brazil, Aviator's Day (Brazil)
**Chulalongkorn Day (Thailand)
**Day of the Macedonian Revolutionary Struggle (Republic of Macedonia)
**Liberation Day (Libya)
**Mole Day (
International observance
Lists of holidays by various categorizations.
Religious holidays
Abrahamic holidays (Middle Eastern)
Jewish holidays
* Chag HaMatzot (Feast of Unleavened Bread – 7 days of consumption of matzo with wine and avoidance of leavened food ...
)
**National Day (Hungary)
**Public holidays in Cambodia, Paris Peace Agreement Day (Cambodia)
*October 24
**Azad Kashmir Day (Pakistan)
**Public holidays in Russia#List of other public holidays, commemorative and professional days, Day of Special Forces of the Armed Forces (Russia)
**Food Day (United States)
**Independence Day (Zambia)
**Suez Day (Egypt)
**United Nations Day (
International observance
Lists of holidays by various categorizations.
Religious holidays
Abrahamic holidays (Middle Eastern)
Jewish holidays
* Chag HaMatzot (Feast of Unleavened Bread – 7 days of consumption of matzo with wine and avoidance of leavened food ...
)
**World Development Information Day
**World Polio Day
*October 25
**Armed Forces Day (Romania)
**Constitution Day (Lithuania)
**Public holidays in Russia, Customs Officer's Day (Russia)
**National Day, Day of the Basque Country (Basque Country (autonomous community), Basque Country)
**Retrocession Day (Taiwan)
**Sovereignty Day (Slovenia)
**Thanksgiving Day (Grenada)
**The Hallowing of Nestorius (Nestorian Christianity)
*October 26
**Accession Day (Jammu and Kashmir)
**Angam Day (Public holidays in Nauru, Nauru)
**Armed Forces Day (Benin)
**Intersex Awareness Day (
International observance
Lists of holidays by various categorizations.
Religious holidays
Abrahamic holidays (Middle Eastern)
Jewish holidays
* Chag HaMatzot (Feast of Unleavened Bread – 7 days of consumption of matzo with wine and avoidance of leavened food ...
)
**Culture of Austria#Public holidays, National Day (Austria)
*October 27
**Black cat#Adoption and Black Cat Day, Black Cat Appreciation Day (
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
)
**Černová massacre, Černová Tragedy Day (Slovakia)
**Flag Day (Greece)
**Independence Day (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)
**Independence Day (Turkmenistan)
**Navy Day (United States) (unofficial, official date is October 13)
**World Day for Audiovisual Heritage
*October 28
**Day of the Establishment of an Independent Czecho-Slovak State (Czech Republic and Slovakia)
**International Animation Day
**Ohi Day (Greece, Cyprus)
**1891 Mino–Owari earthquake, Prefectural Earthquake Disaster Prevention Day (Gifu Prefecture, Japan)
**Youth Pledge Day (Indonesia)
*October 29
**Coronation Day (Cambodia)
**Cyrus the Great Day (Iran)
**National Cat Day (United States)
**Republic Day (Turkey)
**World Stroke Day
*October 30
**Anniversary of the Declaration of the Slovak Nation (Slovakia)
**Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Political Repressions (former Soviet republics, except Ukraine)
**Public holidays in Indonesia, Indonesian Banknote Day (Indonesia)
**International Orthopaedic Nurses Day
**Mischief Night (United States and Canada)
***Beggars Night (certain regions of the United States)
***Devil's Night (Michigan, United States)
**Thevar Jayanthi (Thevar, Thevar community, India)
*October 31
**Start of Allhallowtide October 31 – November 6
**The first day of the Day of the Dead, celebrated until November 2 (
Mexico
Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatema ...
)
**Día de la Canción Criolla (Peru)
**Eve of Winter, the eve of the first day of winter in the Northern hemisphere:
***Allantide (Cornwall,
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
)
***Halloween (Halloween around the world, English-speaking countries, also in other locations)
***Hop-tu-Naa (Isle of Man,
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
)
***Samhain in the Northern Hemisphere, Beltane in the Southern Hemisphere; begins on sunset of October 31 (Gaelic calendar, Gaels, Welsh people and Neopagan Wheel of the Year)
**Scouts' Day#Founders.27 Days, Girl Scouts Founders Day (
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
)
**King Father's Birthday (Cambodia)
**Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, National Unity Day (India)
**Reformation Day (Slovenia, parts of Germany, Chile, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, Evangelical Churches and Lutheranism, Lutheran Churches)
**Saci day (Brazil)
**World Savings Day
**List of U.S. states by date of admission to the Union, Statehood Day Nevada, United States
Miscellaneous
*Eric Whitacre composed a piece based on this month, titled October (Concert Band), ''October''.
*Neil Gaiman wrote a story personifying the month, titled "October in the Chair", for his 2006 collection ''Fragile Things''.
*Ray Bradbury published a collection of short stories titled ''The October Country'' in 1955.
* The song ''October doth before us go'' celebrates the progression of spring (from the perspective of the Southern Hemisphere).
External links
{{Authority control
October,
Months, *10