October is filled with quickly falling leaves, Halloween celebrations, and fun fall facts worth knowing about. Follow along as we explore some of our favorite moments in October’s history.
October: The Original 8th Month of the Year
Unlike our modern 12-month Gregorian calendar, the Romans had a lunar calendar with only ten months each year.
While October is the tenth month in our calendar, it was the 8th month to appear on Roman calendars. This is where October gets its name, which translates as ‘the eighth month’ in Latin.
Famous Birthdays in October
Christopher Columbus: October 31st, 1451
John Adams: October 30, 1735
Theodore Roosevelt: October 27, 1858
Mahatma Gandhi: October 2nd, 1869
Dwight D. Eisenhower: October 14, 1890
October 12, 1492: Christopher Columbus Reaches ‘The New World’
Christopher Columbus reached the Americas on October 12th, 1492, after his journey across the Atlantic Ocean.
His first contact with ‘The New World’ was an island in the Bahamas, which he named San Salvador that same day.
In America, we celebrate this date with ‘Columbus Day,’ which always falls on the second Monday in October. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Congress made Columbus Day a national holiday in 1937.
October 28th, 1886: The Statue of Liberty is Dedicated
The Statue of Liberty was originally designed by Frederic Bartholdi. The statue itself stands at 151 feet 1 inch, with its pedestal adding another 154 feet. Originally a gift from France, the statue symbolizes freedom and democracy. It also represents hope for the 12 million immigrants who passed through Ellis Island from 1892 to 1954.
The Statue of Liberty arrived in New York Harbor on June 17th, 1885. President Grover Cleveland formally dedicated her on October 28th, 1886. President Calvin Coolidge declared the Statue of Liberty a national monument on October 15th, 1924.
October 1st, 1903: Major League Baseball’s (MLB) World Series Begins
The MLB World Series began on October 1st, 1903.
The World Series is often referred to as the ‘Fall Classic. The winner of the playoffs wins the Commissioner’s Trophy.
The Yankees won a record five consecutive series between 1949 and 1953. In 1969, the Mets became the first expansion team to appear in the World Series and won.
October 24, 1945: The United Nations is Founded
In 1945, world leaders created the United Nations. They aimed to promote peace and stop future conflicts after World War II’s destruction. Fifty countries came together in San Francisco to draft the UN Charter. It established the goals of fostering international cooperation, protecting human rights, and maintaining global security.
By creating the UN, nations aimed to ensure lasting peace through diplomacy and collective action.
October 1, 1890: Yosemite National Park is Established
The U.S. Congress created Yosemite National Park to protect its beautiful natural scenery. This includes giant sequoias, waterfalls, and granite cliffs.
Naturalist John Muir played a key role in advocating for the park’s creation. Yosemite became one of the first national parks in the United States. It marked a major step in the nation’s conservation movement.
Annual October: Hunter’s Moon
The Hunter’s Moon is the full moon that occurs after the Harvest Moon each year. It usually rises in October. It gets its name because it gives extra light for hunters preparing for winter.
Annual October: Marks the Start of Diwali
The Diwali festival is the most important religious holiday on the Indian calendar.
Diwali is a Hindu celebration that gets its name from the row of clay lamps that Indians light outside their homes during this festival. These lights symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness.
During the five-day Diwali celebration, people clean their homes and decorate them with clay lamps. During Lakshmi puja, people gather with loved ones for fireworks and feasts.
Though originally a Hindu festival, Diwali is relevant to religions across the world, including Jainism, Sikhism, and Buddhism. Equally, the stories celebrated throughout Diwali vary across Northern, Southern, and Western India.
Things to Celebrate in October
Aside from religious festivals, there are a lot of fun holidays and events to celebrate in October. Just a few of the best things to look out for this October include –
- National Vegetarian Day: October 1st has marked Vegetarian Day since 1977. This event highlights the health and environmental benefits of a meat-free diet.
- World Teacher’s Day: World Teachers’ Day, celebrated annually on October 5, recognizes teachers’ vital role in shaping the future through education. It highlights their contributions to students’ development and promotes support for the teaching profession globally.
- World Smile Day: This day encourages spreading happiness by smiling and doing kind acts. It occurs on the first Friday in October each year.
- World Animal Day: This day is an annual celebration held on October 4th. It focuses on animal rights and welfare.
- Make a Difference Day: National Make a Difference Day happens on the fourth Saturday of every October. It serves as the largest national day of community service in the United States.
For More October Fun Facts…
Fun October facts provide excellent 31 day learning potential for parents and teachers alike.
For more learning resources this month, download our following lesson plans:
