November is the 11th month of the year according to the Gregorian calendar, which is used in almost all the world today. It takes its name from novem, the Latin word for nine. In the early Roman calendar, November was the ninth month until the ancient Romans moved the start of the year from March 1 to January 1. It had 29 days. The Roman Senate named July for Julius Caesar in 44 B.C. and later named August for Augustus Caesar. When it offered to name the 11th month for Tiberius Caesar, he refused modestly, saying, “What will you do if you have 13 emperors?” By then, Roman calendar reform had made November a 30-day month.
November is a month of remembrance. On Día de los muertos, November 2, Mexicans honor the dead. This holiday is somber, yet has many playful characteristics as well. On November 11, Americans honor war veterans with a national holiday called Veterans Day. In Canada, the holiday is called Remembrance Day. This holiday, also known as Armistice Day in some countries, commemorates the signing of the armistice (temporary peace agreement) that ended World War I (1914-1918).
On the second Sunday of the month, Father’s Day is celebrated in Sweden. November 14 is Children’s Day in India. The Japanese festival Shichi-Go-San (Seven-Five-Three) is a special day set aside for children who are 7, 5, or 3 years old. It is held on November 15. Election Day in the United States falls on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of the month.
People in the United States celebrate Thanksgiving Day on the fourth Thursday of November. On Guy Fawkes Day, November 5, people in the United Kingdom recall the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, an unsuccessful attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament. The day is marked with fireworks and bonfires. In Thailand, Loy Krathong, a water festival, is held in mid-November.
Religious holidays in November include the Christian All Saint’s Day on November 1. The Baha’i observance of the birth of Baha’u’llah, who founded the faith, occurs on the 12th. A Sikh holiday commemorating the birth of Nanak, the first Sikh guru (spiritual teacher), is also celebrated in November.
The flower associated with November is the chrysanthemum. November’s birthstone is the topaz.
See also Calendar ; Día de los muertos ; Fawkes, Guy ; Thanksgiving Day ; Veterans Day .
