October Holidays and Special Days in October
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Some October Holidays and Observances
For example, everyone knows that Columbus Day comes sometime in October and that Halloween comes at the very end of the month. But, did you know that in October you can also celebrate Lief Erikson Day if you are so inclined? Or National Cat Day?
If you live in, or are from, either Alaska or Nevada, you can celebrate Alaska Day or Nevada Day.
Now, if you are, say a chocolate loving Cherokee, you are in luck! You can celebrate both Native American Day and Sweetest Day in one month!
created 07/25/2011
updated 05/26/2012
October Holidays or Observances
The first two holiday names are widely recognized. The "other Days of Note" you see below is only a partial list. Nearly every single day in October is designated as a special day for something or someone. But I've brought you several of the ones I thought were interesting.
Nationally Recognized Days
Columbus Day - Second Monday in October or (traditional) October 12
Halloween - October 31
Other Days of Note
Native American Day - October 2 (South Dakota)
Lief Erikson Day - October 9
Alaska Day - October 18 (Alaska)
Independence Day in St. Kitts and Nevis - Octobr 19
National Cat Day - October 29
Sweetest Day - Third Saturday in October (Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin)
Nevada Day - Last Friday in October (Nevada)
Some Special Days in October
Lief Erikson Day - Commemorating arrival of Leif Erikson in America. Festivities include swimming and other activities mimicing those stout nordic frellows who sailed to America before Columbus.
Candy Circus and
Dragon Art 19
Nevada Day - Comemorates the 1864 admission of Nevada to the Union
Alaska Day - October 18, 1867: Territory of Alaska was transferred to the United States
Travel Nevada and
Vintage Alaska US Travel Poster Art
National Cat Day - A day to recognize the unconditional love given by cats, and to remember how many need good homes.
Native American Day - South Dakota has replaced Columbus Day with Native American Day. Several other states have an officially designated Native American day as well, but on other dates.
Turquoise Eyes Postcard and
NATIVE AMERICAN
VOTING BOOTH
Which of the days listed do you favor? Is is one of the two main ones that every one recognizes, or is it one of the other ones?
COLUMBUS DAY
Columbus Day
Columbus and his men first set foot on land on one of the islands of The Bahamas, though exactly which one is still a point of historical debate.
Today that day is comemorated in all of the United States except Hawaii and South Dakota, as well as parts of Canada.
The October 12 arrival of Columbus in the Americas is celebrated as Discovery Day in The Bahamas, and under various other names in several Latin American and South American countries.
Photo curated from wikimedia {{PD-US}}
Learn About Columbus
Resurces for all ages from Amazon
More About Columbus Day
October 12 or the Second Monday in October
Columbus Day was originally celebrated on October12, which is the actual day that the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria arrived in the New World. However, in 1971, it was changed by Congress to be the second Monday in October. This was done with several commemorative days to create three day weekends for federal workers. Some private companies also declare a day off on that day, giving their workers a welcome break.Today, there is some opposition to Columbus Day on the several grounds. One is that some say Columbus was just not a "good" person, and we should not celebrate him. Another is that some feel the arrival of the European in the Americas brought widespread disease and ruination to the 'noble savages' that inhabited the lands. Both choose to de-emphasize the actual accomplishment that the 15th century journey represents, the broadening of the knowledge of manking that it began, and the new age that it ushered in.
Whatever your position, it is a fact that Columbus DID set foot somewhere in the Bahamas on October 12, 1492, and a whole new era (good or ill) was thus begun.
independence Day, St. Kitts and Nevis
October 19
National Cat Day
October 29
- Pictures of Cats and Gifts for Cat Lovers
- Cat Lovers will enjoy these pictures of cats, and those with a cat lover in their lives might find the perfect gift of an everyday item sporting a picture of a cat when they visit this page.
HALLOWEEN
What is Halloween?
Halloween, or All Hallow's Eve, is celebrated on the night before All Saints Day, which is November 1.SOME HISTORY
Though there is evidence of earlier instances of something like halloween, the wearing of costumes and going door to door to get treats was practiced in the Middle Ages. Yes, the custom is that old!
In midieval times, poorer people would go "souling" on on November 1, or Hallomas. They would be given food. In return, they were to say prayers for the dead on the next day, All Souls Day.
Somewhere along the way, everything got backed up a day, and it turned into something very far from prayer.
Amazon
Halloween in Recent Years
RECENT PRACTICESWhen I was young, we would all dress up in costumes and go out trick or treating in our neighborhood. The costumes were mostly home made or thrown together, but a few were store-bought. At every door, we would knock, and then say "Trick or Treat" all in unison. The homeowner would then answer the door, feigning great surprise. They would then make a big show of guessing who was whom under the disguises, though it was usually painfully obvious. Then we would all get a piece of candy in the bags we held out.
Today, fewer and fewer children come to our door each year. Mean indiviuals, bent on doing harm to young children, have rendered this fun time risky business. In some places, community orgnizations and neighborhood grops have begun throwing 'safe" halloween parties to replace neighborhood roaming. It's just not the same!
Many adults today throw costume parties for other adults on or around Halloween. Some of these parties - and the costumes - are quite elaborate. Some peope even costume their pets for halloween! (above public domain hotdot photo by PatriciaEGreen)
What was once a solemn occasion for prayer on behalf of those who had passed on has become an excust to dress outlandishly and have a real good time.
Did you learn something about October Holidays?
One Month Ahead
Did You LIKE It?
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BiminiBahamas
Apr 29, 2012 @ 3:59 am | delete
- Wow, fun lens and learned something also!
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kathysart
Feb 25, 2012 @ 12:49 pm | delete
- October is a great month.. I was born in October..smile. Great lens! whooot whooot! Angel blessed too.
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vallain Feb 24, 2012 @ 9:13 pm | delete
- I've featured this on my Library Book Display Ideas. I hope lots of librarians come to visit your page.
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CruiseReady Feb 25, 2012 @ 6:21 am | delete
- Thank you so much!
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SquidooPower
Dec 31, 2011 @ 7:26 pm | delete
- we LOVE Halloween! Probably because I grew up in Australia and always envied American kids for having this tradition.
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dellgirl
Oct 17, 2011 @ 4:13 pm | delete
- My birthday (last week) is the best holiday in October. Happy belated birthday to me! hehehe
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celeBritys4africA
Oct 7, 2011 @ 1:22 pm | delete
- Thank you, such a great events calendar.
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SereneSea Oct 2, 2011 @ 2:58 am | delete
- October is a month with many important festive events and explorer's day, indeed it is a month worth celebrating.
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adamfrench
Oct 1, 2011 @ 7:46 am | delete
- Great lens
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PeakPerformer
Sep 30, 2011 @ 3:29 pm | delete
- I like this page!
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Fall Fun for Little Ones
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Autumn: An Alphabet Acrostic
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October is a great time for fall fun. And, if your Kindergarten through third grader needs some indoor reading amusement, this book may be just the ticket! A clever and nicely illustrated book of fall riddles - one for each letter of the alphabet.
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