October 2
- National Custodial Worker’s Recognition Day
- National Fried Scallops Day
- National Name Your Car Day
- National Produce Misting Day
- National Smarties Day
- National Child Health Day – First Monday in October
- National Consignment Day– First Monday in October
October 3
- National Boyfriend Day
- National Techies Day
- National Eat Fruit At Work Day – First Tuesday in October
October 4
- National Cinnamon Bun Day
- National Golf Lover’s Day
- National Taco Day
- National Vodka Day
- National Walk to School Day
- National Coffee with a Cop Day – First Wednesday in October
- National Pumpkin Seed Day – First Wednesday in October
October 6
- National Coaches Day
- National German-American Day
- National Mad Hatter Day
- National Noodle Day
- National Orange Wine Day
- National Plus Size Appreciation Day
- National Manufacturing Day – First Friday in October
- National Body Language Day – First Friday in October
- World College Radio Day – First Friday in October
- World Smile Day – First Friday in October
October 8
- American Touch Tag Day
- National Fluffernutter Day
- National Hero Day
- National Pierogi Day
- National Clergy Appreciation Day – Second Sunday in October
- National GOE Day – Sunday of the First Full Weekend in October
- International Off-Road Day
October 9
- National Leif Erikson Day
- National Moldy Cheese Day
- National Online Bank Day
- PANS/PANDAS Awareness Day
- Columbus Day – Second Monday in October
- National Kick Butt Day – Second Monday in October
- Native American Day – Second Monday in October
October 11
- National Coming Out Day
- National Sausage Pizza Day
- National Bring Your Teddy Bear To Work/School Day – Second Wednesday in October
- National Curves Day – Second Wednesday in October
- National Emergency Nurse’s Day – Second Wednesday in October
- National Fossil Day – Wednesday of Second Full Week in October
- National Stop Bullying Day – Second Wednesday in October
- National Take Your Parents to Lunch Day – Second Wednesday in October
- General Pulaski Memorial Day
- International Day of the Girl Child
October 14
- National Be Bald & Be Free Day
- National Dessert Day
- National Motorcycle Ride Day
- National Real Sugar Day
- National Chess Day – Second Saturday in October
- National Costume Swap Day – Second Saturday in October
- I Love Yarn Day – Second Saturday in October
October 16
- National Boss’s Day – October 16 (unless weekend)
- National Department Store Day
- National Dictionary Day
- National Global Cat Day
- National Liqueur Day
- National Sports Day
- National Clean Your Virtual Desktop Day – Third Monday in October
October 17
- National Black Poetry Day
- National Edge Day
- National Mulligan Day
- Pasta Day
- National Pharmacy Technician Day – Third Tuesday in October
- Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity – Third Tuesday in October
October 18
- National Chocolate Cupcake Day
- National Exascale Day
- National No Beard Day
- BRA Day USA – Third Wednesday in October
- Medical Assistance Recognition Day – Wednesday of Third Full Week in October
- Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day – Third Wednesday in October
- Hagfish Day – Third Wednesday in October
- International Legging Day
October 19
- National Kentucky Day
- National LGBT Center Awareness Day
- National Seafood Bisque Day
- Get to Know Your Customers Day – Third Thursday of Each Quarter
- Get Smart About Credit Day – Third Thursday in October
October 20
- National Brandied Fruit Day
- National Chicken & Waffles Day
- National Youth Confidence Day
- National Mammography Day – Third Friday in October
October 21
- National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day
- National Reptile Awareness Day
- National Witch Hazel Day
- National Sweetest Day – Third Saturday in October
October 22
- National Color Day
- National Make a Dog’s Day
- National Nut Day
- National Mother-in-Law Day – Fourth Sunday in October
October 27
- National American Beer Day
- National Black Cat Day
- National Breadstick Day
- National Civics Day
- Navy Day
- National Frankenstein Friday – Last Friday in October
- National Pharmacy Buyer Day – Friday of Last Full Week in October
October 28
- National Chocolate Day
- National First Responders Day
- National Internal Medicine Day
- National Make a Difference Day – Fourth Saturday in October
- National Trick or Treat Day – Last Saturday in October
OCTOBER HOLIDAYS AND HISTORY
Welcome to the October Holidays Overview. In the Northern Hemisphere, October ushers in fall like no other month. Its capital O shouts pumpkins and if the leaves haven’t turned, they soon will. Keep reading to learn more about October.
October Holidays and History
Well, before the Julian and Gregorian calendars, October was the 8th month of the Roman calendar. Octo means eight in Latin. At the time, there were only 10 months. In 700 BC, Numa Pompilius added January and February to the calendar. This change more accurately reflected the length of a year on Earth. As a result, October became the 10th month on the calendar. While other months on the calendar have had days added and subtracted, October has always had 31 days.
Weather & Seasons
During the second month of autumn, asters bloom and so do chrysanthemums. Their colors often pair well with the pumpkins and gourds collected from gardens. And speaking of pumpkins and gourds, holidays like National Pumpkin Seed Day, National Farmer’s Day, National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day, and National Pumpkin Day all offer ways to set the mood.
The Hunter’s Moon is aptly named considering many seek game in the fields and forests. Two meteor showers appear in October. They are the Draconids and the Orionids.
The month is full of sporting events, too. From the World Series to Rugby World Cup finals, sports fans fill the seats. In other activities, October brings a shift in hunting and fishing seasons. Did we mention that National Sports Day is a holiday in October?
What’s Your Sign?
In October, Libra (scales) and Scorpio (the scorpion) represent those born in September.
Marigolds and Cosmos both represent October babies. Marigolds bloom all summer and fall long, but in the fall is where they shine, accenting the harvest season. They symbolize positive emotion and energy. Cosmos delicate blooms represent order and harmony.
5 Fast Facts
1. October is the month when the five-day workweek was first sanctioned. The U.S. Naval Academy opened its doors in Annapolis, Maryland in 1845 (and Navy Day is the holiday that celebrates it!) Several U.S. presidents were born in October, too.
2. Hugh Jackman, Luciano Pavarotti, Sigourney Weaver, Julie Andrews, and John Keats all were born in October.
3. Six US presidents were born in October, more than any other month.
- John Adams
- Rutherford Hayes
- Chester Arthur
- Theodore Roosevelt
- Dwight Eisenhower
- Jimmy Carter
4. Fall (including October) is a good time to be born if you want to live a long life. More centenarians are born in the fall months.
5. The World Series of baseball begins in October.
