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We all know Halloween is celebrated at the end of October, but what other interesting facts do you know about the Fall Month that begins to usher in the change of seasons? Sure some people also realize Columbus Day is in October and many cities across America hold big celebrations and parades.
But what trivial, yet interesting facts do you know about October?
DO you know some of the folk lore saying about October? For example:
“Rain in October
Means wind in December”…..“If the October moon comes without frost,
expect no frost till the moon of November”.
Here are some really weird facts concerning the month of October —
- October is the tenth month in the Gregorian calendar. It received its name from the Latin numeral “octo” meaning “eight”, because in the first Roman calendar it was the eighth month.
- Did you realize Dayight Savings Time ends every year at 2:00 A.M. local time on the last Sunday of October?
- The German Oktoberfest celebration (now held around the world) originally began on October 17, 1810, the wedding day of King Ludwig I.
- In merry old England during olden times the month of October was once named “Winmonth”, which meant wine month. It has also been called ‘Teo-monath’ (Tenth month) and ‘Winter-fylleth’ (Winter full moon) in the Old Saxon traditions.
- Did you know Canada celebrates their Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October?
- The Franciscan Order of the Catholic Church celebrates St. Francis Feast Day on October 4th.
- On October 18th, 1867, Alaska became an American territory.
- The founder of the Girl Scouts of America, Juliette Gordon Lowe was born on Halloween day – October 31st, 1860.
October is:
- October is Adopt-A-Shelter Dog Month, Children’s Health Month,
- Class Reunion Month, Frugal Fun Month, National Crime Prevention Month, Family Health Month, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, National Positive Attitude Month, National Cookie Month, National Seafood Month – National Dessert & Cookie Month – National Popcorn & Popcorn Poppin’ Month – National Pretzel Month – National Pork Month – National Stamp Collecting Month and National Chili Month.
- In October 1903, the first game of the first baseball World Series was played between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Boston Pilgrims. Cy Young was the first losing pitcher, in a world Series Baseball Game, but Boston did win the series.
- In October 1962: Johnny Carson became host of “The Tonight Show”.
- On October 1st, 1968: the now cult horror movie “Night of the Living Dead” had its world premiere in Pittsburgh, Pa.
- On October 1st, 1971, Walt Disney World opened in Orlando, Florida.
- More American Presidents were born in the month of October than any other month (6). They are:
- 1735 – John Adams …1822 – Rutherford B. Hayes…1829 – Chester Arthur, 5th, 1829…Theodore Roosevelt, 27th, 1858… 1890 – Dwight Eisenhower – … 1924 – Jimmy Carter.
- Both John Lennon (famous Beatles member) and Bill Gates (Microsoft) were born in October.
- The Moon in the month of October is called “A Hunter’s Moon”.
- National Magic Week is celebrated from – October 25 to October 31.
- Are you ready to celebrate Mule Day on October 26?
- In October 1683, a huge amount of toads fell at Acle, a village in Norfolk, England. The villagers fearing witchcraft was at work, swept them into piles and burned them.
- October is National Domestic Violence Month.
- The first Model T Ford was introduced by Henry Ford, on October 1, 1908.
- On the 13th of October, 1884, Greenwich Mean Time began.
- On 14th October, 1926, Winnie-the-Pooh was first published: Written by A.A. Milne.
- On 14th, October 1979, Sony invents the first Walkman, over 3 billion sold in the first 20 years.
- Did you know that on 25th October, St Crispin’s Day, Patron Saint of Shoemakers, is celebrated?
Enough…..enough information for now!!! There is plenty more.