In the United States, nearly 1 in 200 children are diagnosed with Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndromes (PANS) and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS). PANS/PANDAS Awareness Day on October 9th sets out to increase research, education and support to those affected by the condition.
#PANSPANDASAwarenessDay
Symptoms of PANS and PANDAS come on suddenly following a strep, bacterial or viral infection. The symptoms include:
tics
sudden onset Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
deterioration in skills
begins refusing foods and become selective in foods they will eat
anxiety
depression
reduced performance at school
sensitive to touch and sound
sleep changes
hyperactivity
uncontrolled movements
Rheumatic pain
PANDAS is often misdiagnosed. The symptoms can diminish or remit. However, relapse occurs increasing in duration and intensity over time. Some causes of relapse include repeated infections and environmental triggers. Early diagnosis can result in long-term remission.
Treatments include antibiotics, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), and plasmapheresis among other treatments.
More research is needed to improve early diagnosis and treatment. Research will also help physicians better understand the condition. PANS/PANDAS Awareness Day encourages everyone to learn more about the condition, recognize the symptoms, and support families with a loved one diagnosed with PANDAS.
HOW TO OBSERVE PANS PANDAS AWARENESS DAY
There are several way to support the cause:
Speak to your state representatives to support a proclamation of PANS/PANDAS Awareness Day. Many states have already proclaimed the day.
Make a donation to support research.
Share your experiences with PANDAS.
Visit pandasnetwork.org for more information on PANDAS, the work being done and how to help.
Use #PANSPANDASAwarenessDay to share on social media.
PANS PANDAS AWARENESS DAY HISTORY
In 2009, several parents and physicians created the PANDA Network. The organization set out to provide support for families enduring PANDAS and began promoting PANS/PANDAS Awareness Day.
NATIONAL ONLINE BANK DAY | SECOND MONDAY IN OCTOBER
On the second Monday in October, National Online Bank Day reminds us we don’t have to take it to the bank to get it to the bank. The day celebrates the advantages offered by online banks.
#OnlineBankDay
If you’re not yet one of the millions of people who have discovered the convenience and ease of online banking, you’re missing a great opportunity. Here are a few benefits to consider:
Makes your money work harder: Online banks traditionally have lower fee structures and competitive interest rates, which benefit you, not the bank.
Fast, convenient access: No waiting in line, or for the bank to open. Many online banks are open 24/7 – even on U.S. bank holidays – such as today, the second Monday of October, the annual recognition of Columbus Day.
Provides the flexibility to choose where and when you bank: Conduct your banking transactions securely without leaving the comfort of your home. Many online banks offer live, agent-assisted customer care, by phone or by chat, to suit your schedule.
Offers smart, simple features: Many online banks allow you to pay your bills, transfer funds and make deposits electronically, and you can also conduct all these tasks “on the go” from a mobile device.
Gives you greater control over managing your money: Look at your balances and transactions whenever you want, not just when you get a statement.
No branches = more environmentally friendly: Online banking is a better environmental choice since there are no energy-consuming branch locations, and you’ll spare both gas and emissions from conducting your banking online.
As the digital world continues to evolve, using an online bank for your personal finance needs is not only practical, it offers a number of consumer-friendly benefits and features.
HOW TO OBSERVE ONLINE BANK DAY
Open a new online bank account or change your password on your existing accounts. Post on social media using #OnlineBankDay
NATIONAL ONLINE BANK DAY HISTORY
Ally Bank founded National Online Bank Day in September of 2015 to honor the occasion of its 1 millionth customer. Learn more about Ally Bank, member FDIC, at www.ally.com
The Registrar at National Day Calendar® declared the second Monday in October as National Online Bank Day.
MEDIA CONTACT
Andrea Puchalsky – 313-656-3798 – andrea.puchalsky@ally.com
Dates: 10 October 2022 9 October 2023 14 October 2024 13 October 2025 12 October 2026 11 October 2027 9 October 2028 8 October 2029
Columbus Day on the second Monday in October is observed in the United States each year. The day signifies Christopher Columbus’ arrival to America on October 12, 1492.
#ColumbusDay
Christopher Columbus was long given credit for discovering North America. However, long before Columbus was born (1451-1506), Leif Erikson landed on these shores. The Italian-born explorer did sail across the Atlantic, though, and more than once. In fact, he made four transatlantic voyages. His first was in 1492. Hence the rhyme, “In 1492, Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue.”
During the 1492 expedition, Columbus was looking for Asia. He and his crew landed their three ships somewhere near the modern-day Bahamas. While he may not have discovered an already populated continent, he did spur further exploration and colonization of North America.
HOW TO OBSERVE COLUMBUS DAY
Learn more about Christopher Columbus and his voyages. Use #ColumbusDay to post on social media.
COLUMBUS DAY HISTORY
Colorado first observed Columbus Day in 1906 as it became an official state holiday. More and more people and states began to recognize the observance.
In 1937, Columbus Day became a federal holiday in the United States. Many instances of people observing Columbus’ voyage exist since the colonial period. In 1792, celebrations recognizing the 300th anniversary of his landing in the New World took place in New York City and other US cities. President Benjamin Harrison called upon the people of the United States to join in the celebration of Columbus on the 400th anniversary of the event. During the anniversary of 1892, teachers, preachers, poets, and politicians used the day to teach ideals of patriotism. These patriotic teachings were framed around themes of support for war, citizenship boundaries, the importance of loyalty to the nation, and celebrating social progress.
In 1970, Columbus Day was changed to the current observance on the second Monday in October.
DATES: 10 October 2022 9 October 2023 14 October 2024 13 October 2025 12 October 2026 11 October 2027 9 October 2028 8 October 2029
Native American Day, observed annually on the second Monday in October, celebrates the cultures and contributions of the many Native American tribes. The observance is also known as Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
#NativeAmericanDay
While it is not celebrated in all 50 states, it is recognized in both California and South Dakota and gaining popularity in the rest of the nation. In other parts of the country, Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrations occur on this day. Events such as traditional dances, art displays and ceremonies have begun to replace Columbus Day practices.
The observance focuses on celebrating the culture, heritage, and history of tribes across the nation. Each diverse nation carries its own traditions, rituals, and beliefs. The day celebrates their knowledge, contributions and enriching heritage. It’s also a reminder of their enduring legacy of strength, energy, and fortitude.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIVE AMERICAN DAY
Learn about Native American cultures. Attend events near you. Visit art museums or read books by Native American authors. Learn about Native American history. Explore the language and efforts to bring lost language back. Use #NativeAmericanDay to post on social media.
NATIVE AMERICAN DAY HISTORY
The South Dakota legislature unanimously passed legislation proposed by Governor George S. Mickelson in 1989 to proclaim 1990 as the “Year of Reconciliation” between Native Americans and whites and to change Columbus Day to Native American Day.
In 2021, President Joseph Biden issued the first presidential proclamation for National Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
DATES: 10 October 2022 9 October 2023 14 October 2024 13 October 2025 12 October 2026 11 October 2027 9 October 2028 8 October 2029
National Kick Butt Day is observed annually on the second Monday in October. This is a day to give yourself a kick in the seat of the pants.
#KickButtDay
The day aims to motivate marketers, advertisers and those in the business world to work smarter and harder toward their goals. While striving to out-do the competitor, be sure to also take stock of your achievements and how far you’ve come. Have you made the strides you expected at this point in your career? If not, check your goals. Do you have the right ones in place to kick butt?
While the day was designed with business in mind, goals apply to everyone. From students to retirees. We all have a purpose. Not all goals have to be lofty. Consider these goals that just might still kick butt:
Teach a child to read.
Donate to a food bank four times a year.
Shovel your neighbor’s driveway.
Wash and put away all that laundry.
Call your parents once a month.
Start a savings account.
Learn to decorate a cake.
Take a sign language class.
Apply for a new job. (You don’t have to accept it – or do you?)
Wash the dishes every night before bed.
Lose 5 pounds.
Gain 5 pounds.
Complete your holiday shopping.
HOW TO OBSERVE KICK BUTT DAY
While you’re kicking butt use #NationalKickButtDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL KICK BUTT DAY HISTORY
Observed since at least 2004, the origins of the day are unknown. National Day Calendar® continues researching this motivational day.
DATES: 10 October 2022 9 October 2023 14 October 2024 13 October 2025 12 October 2026 11 October 2027 9 October 2028 8 October 2029
National Moldy Cheese Day is a unique holiday that is observed each year on October 9.
#MoldyCheeseDay
A cheesemonger is a person who specializes in cheeses, butter, and other dairy products. They may take umbrage at the ordinary person’s offense of moldy cheese. Well, depending on the type of mold, of course. Some cheese molds, red or brown-tinged molds, for example, are offensive. Toss those bacteria-contaminated moldy cheeses in the garbage quickly and move along to the grey, blue, or green colored moldy cheeses in the fridge instead.
Like a sommelier pairs the best wines with meals, a cheesemonger provides expert advice on artisan cheeses for recipes, banquets, and sources for restaurants.
Cheeses such as Maytag blue, Roquefort, bleu, camembert, gorgonzola, and Stilton are a few of the moldy reasons cheese lovers celebrate on this day.
Moldy cheese gets such colorful phrases. For example, the fuzzy mold on a wheel of fresh brie is called cats fur. These bloomy rind cheeses take some careful maintenance. However, the results are satisfying. Isn’t the best food is a bit of a science experiment, anyway?
Gorgonzola cheese is made with three different kinds of mold spores. It’s like a milder blue cheese, but gorgonzola is creamier and earthier. Toss it with pasta and mushrooms for an outstanding meal. Also, it compliments any cheese plate. Add apples and tart, dried cranberries.
HOW TO OBSERVE MOLDY CHEESE DAY
Stop by a local deli or chat with your favorite cheesemonger about a uniquely moldy cheese. Other ways to celebrate the day include:
Invite friends for a tasting
Clean out your fridge. You might find some moldy cheese.
Try a moldy cheese you’ve never tried before. Is Stilton something new to you? Try it!
Share your recipes using moldy cheeses.
#MoldyCheeseDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL MOLDY CHEESE DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this funky food day.
On October 9th, National Pro-Life Cupcake Day encourages open dialogue and an exchange of cupcakes.
#ProLifeCupcakeDay
On this day, cupcakes are baked to honor the lives of those not yet born. The day also raises awareness about the issue of abortion. Cupcakes are a sweet way to get a conversation started on a difficult subject.
Organizers encourage baking cupcakes and giving them to friends, family and even strangers. While not everyone will agree, conversations may be started. Some may prefer not to participate at all, while others still will join in the conversation, even though they disagree.
HOW TO OBSERVE PRO-LIFE CUPCAKE DAY
Make a cupcake and strike up a conversation. Use #ProLifeCupcakeDay to post on social media.
PRO-LIFE CUPCAKE DAY HISTORY
Cupcakes for Life founded the day as a positive way to discuss pro-life awareness.
National Leif Erickson Day honors the Icelandic-born explorer, Leif Erikson. The Norse explorer earns credit for bringing the first Europeans known to have set foot in North America. Leif Erikson left the European continent in 999 and landed in North America around the year 1,000.
#LeifEriksonDay
HOW TO OBSERVE LEIF ERIKSON DAY
Tour a Norwegian heritage museum. Learn about Norse heritage, their exploration, and more. Dive into the story of this explore in books, too. We suggest Who was Leif Erikson by Nico Medina or Before Columbus: The Leif Eriksson Expedition by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel. Share your Norse heritage. However you celebrate, use #LeifEriksonDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL LEIF ERIKSON DAY HISTORY
In 1925, at the Norse-American Centennial, President Calvin Coolidge gave recognition to Leif Erikson as the discoverer of America due to research by Norwegian-American scholars such as Knut Geirset and Ludvig-Hektoen.
United States Representative John Blatnik from Duluth introduced a bill in 1963 to observe Leif Erikson Day nationwide. On September 2, 1964, the United States Congress passed Joint Resolution 88-566, authorizing the President to proclaim October 9 as Leif Erikson Day. President Lyndon B. Johnson and each president since have done so. In the proclamations, the Presidents have praised the contributions of Americans of Nordic descent generally and the spirit of discovery.
Some states officially commemorate National Leif Erikson Day in addition to the federal observance. This occurs particularly in the Upper Midwest, where there are large numbers of people from the Nordic countries settled.
On October 9, 1825, a sloop named, Restauration, with 52 Norwegian Quakers on board, landed in New York Harbor, beginning what would become the first organized immigration from Norway to the United States. In commemoration of their journey and their exploring ancestor, Congress selected October 9 for National Leif Erickson Day.
Leif Erikson FAQ
Q. Was Leif Erikson Norse? A. While the first-century explorer is believed to be born in Iceland, his ancestors hailed from Scandinavia, so he was of Norse descent. His father, Erik the Red was born in Norway.
Q. Do Norse, Nordic and Norwegian mean the same thing? A. Yes and no. Norse refers to people and things from Scandinavia. Nordic refers to northern Europe. Norwegian is specific to the country Norway. So, something Norwegian can also be Nordic and Norse.
Q. To what countries does Scandinavia refer? A. Scandinavia typically includes the countries of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
October 9th Celebrated History
1855
Joshua C. Stoddard obtains patent No. 13,668 for his invention of the steam calliope. The Worcester, MA inventor equipped the “steam organ” with whistles and when steam was forced through them, they played a note. He later added a keyboard. The musical instrument became associated with riverboats and carnivals, particularly on the carousels.
1911
The American distiller who founded Jack Daniel’s distillery dies. Born Jasper Newton Daniel, he is best known for his Tennessee whiskey. Daniels learned to make moonshine at a young age and founded the Jack Daniels Distillery in 1875.
1933
The Draconid meteor shower surprised Europe with a short but intense display. Caused by the passing of the Giacobini-Zinner comet leaving debris in its 6.6-year orbital path, the comet’s displays vary depending on where the Earth is in relation to the comet’s debris path. In 2020, the comet returns, but whether it will be a display of hundreds of meteors an hour or just a few remains to be seen.
1936
The Boulder Dam, later named Hoover Dam, starts its first generator.
1946
The Simmons Company begins selling electric blankets. Based out of Petersburg, VA, the manufacturer’s ads tout the product as the “New Way to Better Sleep!” The blanket connected to a control device that users set on their bedside table. The price? $39.50.
1962
Dr. Nick Holonyak, Jr. demonstrated the first visible-spectrum light-emitting diode (LED) in Syracuse, NY.
1991
London’s Royal Albert Hall hosted the first sumo wrestling tournament held off of Japanese soil in the 1500 year history of the sport.
2009
Data from the Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) detects water on the moon for the first time.
October 9th Celebrated Birthdays
Mary Ann Shadd – 1823
The abolitionist and journalist was a woman of many firsts. Using her skill, she published the first African American newspaper, The Provincial Freemen. As a result, she was the first African American woman to become an editor. Shadd’s other achievements included a law degree and establishing a school for all races of children.
Betty Evans Grayson – 1925
The young softball player turned professional in 1949, pitching 51 no-hitters and three perfect games in the National Girls Baseball League.
Joan Berger – 1933
The right-handed infielder was a batting powerhouse in the All American Girls Professional Baseball League. In her fourth and last season with the Rockford Peaches, she had a batting average of .280. That year in the MLB the league batting average was .261.
Sir Peter Mansfield – 1933
The Nobel Prize-winning physicist pursued his Ph.D. in science following his military service. Along with Charles Slichter, he advanced nuclear medicine with the development of the MRI.
Rocky Aoki – 1938
The one-time wrestler and restaurateur founded the Japanese restaurant, Benihana, in 1964. The restaurant is also the founder of National Fried Rice Day.
John Lennon – 1940
The founder and co-lead vocalist of the Beatles would later become a peace activist. Married to Yoko Ono, he shares a birthday with his son Sean. In 1980, Lennon was assassinated by Mark David Chapman.
Brian Lamb – 1941
In 1979, the American journalist founded the non-profit television network Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network (C-SPAN). The network offers a live feed of federal government proceedings and public affairs programming.
Nona Hendryx – 1944
The now solo artist and producer was once part of the girl trio which included Patti LaBelle and Sarah Dash. In the late 60s and 70s, the group rose to fame with hit songs such as “Lady Marmalade” and “What Can I Do For You.” They were also the opening act for groups such as The Who and The Rolling Stones. After the trio broke up, Hendryx went on to a successful solo and producing career.
Mike Singletary – 1958
Singletary played 12 years with the Chicago Bears. The linebacker would continue his NFL career when he joined the coaching staff of the Baltimore Ravens. He would later coach for other teams, too, such as the San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, and Los Angeles Rams.
Guillermo del Toro – 1964
The director, producer, and screenwriter rose up through the ranks of Hollywood with films such as Labyrinth, Hellboy, and The Shape of Water.
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