October facts for kids
October is the tenth month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. It has 31 days. The name "October" comes from the Latin and Greek word ôctō, which means "eight." This is because October used to be the eighth month in the old Roman calendar before January and February were added.
In the Northern Hemisphere, October is usually a month of autumn, with leaves changing colors and cooler weather. In the Southern Hemisphere, it's the start of spring, with flowers blooming and warmer temperatures. It's like April in the Southern Hemisphere is similar to October in the Northern Hemisphere.
Contents
- Symbols
- Observances
- Month-long Observances
- Movable Dates
- First Sunday
- First Monday
- First Friday
- First full week
- Second Sunday
- Second Monday
- Second Tuesday
- Second Thursday
- Second Friday
- Second Saturday
- Second Week of October
- Third Sunday
- Third Monday
- Third Thursday
- Third Saturday
- Fourth Monday
- Fourth Wednesday
- Fourth Saturday
- Last Monday
- Last Friday
- Last Sunday
- Fixed Dates
- Images for kids
- See also
Symbols
October's special birthstones are the tourmaline and opal. Its birth flower is the calendula. If you were born in October, your zodiac sign is either Libra (if you were born before October 23) or Scorpio (if you were born on or after October 23).
Observances
Many different events and awareness campaigns happen in October around the world. Some follow the regular calendar, while others follow different cultural calendars like the Hebrew calendar or Islamic calendar.
Month-long Observances
Many countries and groups dedicate the entire month of October to special causes or awareness.
- Black History Month is celebrated in the United Kingdom.
- In the Catholic Church, October is known as the Month of the Holy Rosary.
- Breast Cancer Awareness Month helps people learn about breast cancer and the importance of early detection.
- International Walk to School Month encourages kids to walk or bike to school.
- Rett Syndrome Awareness Month helps people learn about this rare genetic disorder.
- Vegetarian Awareness Month promotes vegetarianism.
United States
In the United States, October is a busy time for sports! It's often the only time of year when all four major professional sports leagues (basketball, hockey, football, and baseball) are playing games at the same time. This is sometimes called a "sports equinox."
Other month-long observances in the U.S. include:
- National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, encouraging people to adopt pets.
- National Arts & Humanities Month celebrates art and culture.
- National Bullying Prevention Month works to stop bullying.
- National Cyber Security Awareness Month teaches people how to stay safe online.
- National Domestic Violence Awareness Month raises awareness about domestic violence.
- Filipino American History Month celebrates the history and culture of Filipino Americans.
- Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month celebrates Italian-American heritage.
- Polish American Heritage Month celebrates Polish-American heritage.
Some health-related observances include:
- Dwarfism/Little People Awareness Month.
- National Dental Hygiene Month, promoting good dental care.
- National Healthy Lung Month.
- National Physical Therapy Month.
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Month.
And some fun culinary observances:
- National Pizza Month
- National Popcorn Poppin' Month
Movable Dates
Some observances don't fall on the same date every year but are tied to a specific day of the week in October.
First Sunday
- Daylight saving time begins in Australia.
- Father's Day is celebrated in Luxembourg.
- Grandparents Day is celebrated in parts of Australia and the United Kingdom.
- Teachers' Day is celebrated in Belarus, Latvia, and Ukraine.
First Monday
- Child Health Day in the United States.
- Children's Day in Chile and Singapore.
- Labour Day is celebrated in several states in Australia.
- Thanksgiving is celebrated in Saint Lucia.
- World Architecture Day celebrates architecture.
- World Habitat Day focuses on the state of human settlements.
First Friday
- Children's Day in Singapore.
- World Smile Day encourages everyone to smile and do acts of kindness.
First full week
- Mental Illness Awareness Week in the United States.
Second Sunday
Second Monday
- Columbus Day in the United States.
- Indigenous Peoples' Day is celebrated in parts of the United States, honoring Native American cultures.
- Health and Sports Day in Japan.
- Thanksgiving (Canada) is celebrated in Canada.
- National Day in the Republic of China (Taiwan).
Second Tuesday
- Ada Lovelace Day celebrates the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Second Thursday
- World Sight Day raises awareness about blindness and vision impairment.
Second Friday
Second Saturday
- International Migratory Bird Day in the Americas.
- Home Movie Day encourages people to share their home movies.
Second Week of October
- Fire Prevention Week in Canada and the United States, teaching about fire safety.
Third Sunday
- Teacher's Day in Brazil.
- Mother's Day in Argentina.
Third Monday
- Heroes' Day in Jamaica.
- Boss's Day in the United States, Canada, and other countries.
Third Thursday
- International Credit Union Day celebrates credit unions.
Third Saturday
- Sweetest Day in the United States, a day to show appreciation to loved ones.
Fourth Monday
Fourth Wednesday
Fourth Saturday
- Children's Day in Malaysia.
- Make a Difference Day in the United States, encouraging community service.
Last Monday
- October Holiday in Ireland.
Last Friday
- Nevada Day in Nevada, United States, celebrating its statehood.
- Teacher's Day in Australia.
Last Sunday
- European Summer Time ends.
- Grandparents Day in New South Wales, Australia.
Fixed Dates
These observances happen on the same date every year.
* Armed Forces Day (South Korea). * Children's Day in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Sri Lanka. * Independence Day (Nigeria), Independence Day (Palau), Independence Day (Tuvalu), and Independence Day (Cyprus). * International Coffee Day. * International Day of Older Persons. * International Music Day. * National Day of the People's Republic of China. * World Vegetarian Day.
* Batik Day in Indonesia, celebrating traditional fabric art. * Gandhi's birthday is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti in India and International Day of Non-Violence worldwide.
* German Unity Day in Germany, celebrating the reunification of East and West Germany.
* Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, often associated with animal blessings. * World Animal Day promotes animal welfare. * The beginning of World Space Week (October 4–10).
* World Teachers' Day celebrates teachers around the globe.
* German-American Day in the United States. * World Cerebral Palsy Day raises awareness for cerebral palsy.
* National Independence Day in Croatia.
* Hangul Day in South Korea, celebrating the Korean alphabet. * Independence Day (Uganda). * Leif Erikson Day in the United States, Iceland, and Norway, honoring the Viking explorer. * World Post Day celebrates postal services.
* Double Ten Day in Taiwan. * Fiji Day in Fiji. * World Mental Health Day promotes mental well-being.
* International Day of the Girl Child focuses on girls' rights. * National Coming Out Day supports LGBTQ+ individuals.
* Children's Day in Brazil. * Many countries celebrate the arrival of Columbus in the Americas, often called Columbus Day or Día de la Hispanidad (Spain). Other countries celebrate Indigenous Resistance Day or Día del Respeto a la Diversidad Cultural to honor native cultures. * Independence Day (Equatorial Guinea). * UN Spanish Language Day.
* International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction promotes disaster prevention.
* World Standards Day highlights the importance of international standards.
* Global Handwashing Day promotes hand hygiene. * Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day in the United States and Canada. * Spirit Day encourages support for LGBTQ+ youth. * White Cane Safety Day in the United States, raising awareness for the visually impaired.
* World Food Day addresses global hunger.
* International Day for the Eradication of Poverty aims to end poverty.
* Alaska Day in Alaska, United States, celebrating its transfer to the U.S. * Persons Day in Canada, celebrating women's legal rights. * World Menopause Day.
* Constitution Day in Niue. * Mother Teresa Day in Albania.
* Heroes' Day (Kenya). * Vietnamese Women's Day. * World Osteoporosis Day raises awareness about bone health. * World Statistics Day.
* Apple Day in the United Kingdom, celebrating apples and orchards. * International Day of the Nacho. * Trafalgar Day (historically celebrated in the British Empire).
* International Caps Lock Day (a fun, unofficial observance!). * International Stuttering Awareness Day. * Wombat Day in Australia.
* Mole Day is celebrated by chemistry enthusiasts. * National Day (Hungary).
* United Nations Day celebrates the founding of the UN. * World Development Information Day. * World Polio Day raises awareness about polio.
* Constitution Day (Lithuania). * Thanksgiving Day (Grenada).
* Angam Day in Nauru, celebrating population growth. * National Day in Austria.
* Black Cat Appreciation Day in the United Kingdom. * Independence Day (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines). * Navy Day (United States) (unofficial). * World Day for Audiovisual Heritage.
* International Animation Day celebrates animated films and art. * Ohi Day in Greece and Cyprus, commemorating a historical event.
* National Cat Day in the United States. * Republic Day (Turkey). * World Stroke Day raises awareness about strokes.
* Mischief Night (or Beggars Night/Devil's Night in some areas) is a night for pranks before Halloween.
* Halloween is celebrated in many English-speaking countries, with costumes, trick-or-treating, and spooky fun. * The first day of the Day of the Dead is celebrated in Mexico until November 2, honoring deceased loved ones. * Samhain is a traditional Celtic festival marking the end of summer and harvest. * National Unity Day in India. * Reformation Day is observed by some Protestant churches. * World Savings Day promotes saving money. * Statehood Day for Nevada, United States.
Images for kids
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Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, whose devotion and Feast are celebrated in October
See also
In Spanish: Octubre para niños
