"October",
the tenth month in the Gregorian calendar, received
its name from the Latin numeral octo meaning
"eight," because in the days of the old
Roman calendar it was the eighth month.
One
of the notable days in October is Columbus Day,
October 12, honoring the discovery of America by the
Italian map-maker and explorer, Christopher Columbus.
It is celebrated as Discovery Day in Central and
South America and was set aside as a holiday in the
United States in 1892 by President Harrison.
Hawaii
has a special October event called "the Aloha
Festival," sometimes described as the
"Mardi Gras of the Pacific." It is observed
with pageantry, street dancing, hulu festivals,
luaus, parades, and fancy balls.
October
gave its name to one of the best-known German fall
festivals. Oktoberfest started on October 17, 1810,
the wedding day of King Ludwig I. It still retains
the name, even though the festivities may start in
September, with October having only a partial share
of the time schedule.
An
important October day for the entire world is October
24, United Nations Day, which commemorates the
founding of the United Nations on October 24, 1945.
It is a holiday for many of the member nations and is
generally observed by all nations as a way of
publicizing the aims and achievements of the world
organization.
The
month end with Halloween or All Hallow's Eve. It is a
religious festival in some countries but a
trick-or-treat night in the United States, when small
children in costume roam through their neighborhoods
to solicit candy or cookies.
The
flowers for October are the calendula and the cosmos.
The birthstones are the opal and the
tourmaline."
OCTOBER 31
Birthday
of John Keats (October 31, 1795-February 23, 1821).
English poet trained as a surgeon but turned to
poetry. The Eve of St. Agnes and other poems assure
him a permanent place in world literature. Keats,
known as the "Poet's Poet," is buried in
the Protestant cemetery in Rome.
Birthday
of Juliett Gordon Low (October 31, 1860-January 17,
1927). American youth leader and founder of the Girl
Scouts in America.
Birthday
of Sir George Hubert Wilkins (October 31, 1888-Nov.
30/Dec. 1, 1958). Australian polar explorer; the
first to fly an airplane in the Antarctic and to fly
over both polor regions.
Nevada
Admission Day, a legal holiday, celebrating Nevada's
admission to the Union on October 31, 1864, as the
thirty-sixth state.
Halloween,
All Hallow's Eve, or Beggars' Night, a festival for
children, known in the United States as
Trick-or-Treat night, when costumed youngsters roam
their neighborhoods with open bags for treats and
with soap for the windows of their absent or ungiving
neighbors.
National
Magic Day, honoring the skills of magicians and
commemorating the death of the great magician Harry
Houdini on October 31, 1926.
Reformation
Day, commemorating Luther's singing of the theses.
The Sunday preceding October 31 is usually observed
as Reformation Sunday in Lutheran churches. Called
"Luther's Theses Day" in some parts of
Germany in memory of October 31, 1517, when Martin
Luther posted his ninety-five theses in Wittenberg.
UNICEF
Day, a day set aside by presidential proclamation in
the United States and observed in many nations for
the the purpose of aiding the United Nations
International Children's Fund.
Youth
Honor Day, observed in Iowa and in Massachusetts to
honor young people.