October is the 10th month of the year, according to the Gregorian calendar, which is used in most parts of the world today. Its name comes from the Latin word for eight. October was the eighth month of the early Roman calendar. It later became the 10th month when the ancient Romans moved the beginning of the year from March 1 to January 1. October has had 31 days since Roman times.
Various kinds of holidays occur in this month. South Koreans celebrate National Foundation Day on October 3. This holiday marks the establishment of the kingdom of Joseon (also spelled Choson) in 2333 B.C. According to legend, Dangun (also spelled Tangun), a son of a heavenly being founded Joseon, meaning land of morning calm, in present-day North Korea. Chulalongkorn Day falls on October 23 in Thailand. This national holiday honors King Chulalongkorn, also known as Rama V, who abolished slavery and introduced many reforms. New Zealand observes Labour Day on the fourth Monday in October.
The second Monday in October is Thanksgiving Day in Canada. Columbus Day in the United States also occurs on this day. It marks Christopher Columbus’s arrival in America on Oct. 12, 1492. The week including October 9 is Fire Prevention Week in both Canada and the United States. The Great Chicago Fire raged from October 8-10, 1871.
October 31 is Halloween in some countries. On the evening of Halloween, children disguise themselves with masks and costumes and go door to door asking for treats. Halloween developed from ancient new year festivals and festivals of the dead. The ancient Celts celebrated Samhain, a harvest festival, on November 1. On the night before the festival, they honored Saman, the Celtic lord of death. This celebration also marked summer’s end. October 31 is All Hallows’ Eve in Christian cultures. It is the eve of All Saints’ Day, on which Christians honor all the known and unknown saints who have died.
The calendula and cosmos are October’s flowers. October’s birthstones are the opal and the tourmaline.
