Latest Release
History
This month’s name stems from the Latin octo, “eight,” because this was the eighth month of the early Roman calendar. When the Romans converted to a 12-month calendar, the name October stuck despite the fact that it’s now the 10th month!
The early Roman calendar, thought to have been introduced by Rome’s first king, Romulus (around 753 BC), was a lunar calendar. This ancient timekeeping system contained these 10 months: Martius, Aprilis, Maius, Iunius, Quintilis, Sextilis, September, October (the eighth month), November, and December. Martius, Maius, Quintilis, and October contained 31 days, while the other months had 30, for a total of 304 days. In winter, the days were not counted for two lunar cycles.
It wasn’t until about 713 BC that a calendar reform, attributed to the second Roman king, Numa Pompilius, added the months Ianuarius and Februarius. Some historians think that both months were placed at the end of the year, while others believe that Ianuarius became the first month and Februarius the last. Later reforms organized the months as they are arranged today in the Gregorian calendar, whereby October became the 10th month despite its name.
Astronomical Events
October’s full Moon, known as the Harvest Moon, arrived Monday, October 6. The Harvest Moon is closely tied to the autumnal equinox. Hope you were able to see it.
Also, the Draconid meteor shower was visible in the late evening of October 9, and the Orionid meteor shower will be visible in the predawn hours of October 21–22.
Holidays and Traditions
1st Yom Kippur
9th Leif Eriksson Day
13th Canadian Thanksgiving, Indigenous Peoples' Day & Columbus Day
18th St. Luke's Little Summer
20th Diwali (Indian Festival of Lights)
24th United Nations Day
31st Halloween (All Hallows' Eve)
“The earth does not belong to us: We belong to the Earth.”
- Chief Seattle (c. 1786-1866)
- Fun facts are from The Old Farmer's Almanac online