Special Days in October

National Arts & Humanities Month

National Arts & Humanities Month was established in 1993 and is celebrated every October in the United States. It was initiated to encourage Americans to explore new facets of the arts and humanities in their lives, and to begin a lifelong habit of participation in the arts and humanities. It has become the nation's largest collective annual celebration of the arts.

Find out more about National Arts & Humanities Month on the site

Celebrate this month listening to country music!

October is Country Music Month as first designated by the Country Music Association in 1964 and made official by Presidential proclamation beginning in 1970. It's intended as a time to celebrate America's music. Read more 

October 2 – International Day of Non-Violence

The International Day of Non-Violence is marked on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence.The resolution by the General Assembly asks all members of the UN system to commemorate 2 October in "an appropriate manner and disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness." Many people, governments, and non-government organizations around the world observe the International Day of Non-Violence through various events and activities.

October 5 - World Teachers' Day

World Teachers' Day, held annually on October 5th since 1994, commemorates teachers’ organizations worldwide. Its aim is to mobilise support for teachers and to ensure that the needs of future generations will continue to be met by teachers. According to UNESCO, World Teachers' Day represents a significant token of the awareness, understanding and appreciation displayed for the vital contribution that teachers make to education and development. The theme for this year’s World Teachers’ Day is: "Take a stand for teachers".This is a clear call to all stakeholders to acknowledge teachers’ crucial role in transforming the lives of learners at all levels of education.
Read more

The first Sunday of October - Teachers' Day in Ukraine

At schools across the country, Teacher's Day is celebrated the Friday before the holiday with "concerts" and gatherings, while students usually give their teachers gifts such as flowers and chocolate. On the holiday itself, many teachers celebrate with their families and friends at home or at restaurants or cafes.

The second Monday of October- Columbus Day is celebrated in the USA

This day remembers Christopher Columbus' arrival to the Americas on October 12, 1492. This holiday is controversial because the European settlement in the Americas led to the demise of the history and culture of the indigenous peoples.
Some interesting links kindly provided by Jerrold Frank, RELO Officer, US Embassy:

                                  October 16 - Dictionary Day

Dictionary Day is in honor of Noah Webster, considered the Father of the American Dictionary. Noah Webster was born on October 16, 1758.
The objective of this day is to emphasize the importance of dictionary skills, and seeks to improve vocabulary.
Webster began to write his dictionary at the age of 43. It took him 27 years to finish it! In addition to traditional English vocabulary, it contained uniquely American words.
Celebrate Dictionary Day by reading the "Good Book"......the Dictionary! We challenge you to learn some new words today.

October 24 - United Nations Day

In 1947, the United Nations General Assembly declared 24 October, the anniversary of the Charter of the United Nations, as which "shall be devoted to making known to the peoples of the world the aims and achievements of the United Nations and to gaining their support for" its work.
United Nations Day has traditionally been marked throughout the world with meetings, discussions and exhibits about the achievements and goals of the organization. In 1971, the General Assembly recommended that member states observe it as a public holiday.
The UN's World Development Information Day has been also been held on 24 October since 1972.
Find more about United Nations Day and the United Nations General Assembly on the sites

October 31- UNICEF Day (October is National UNICEF Month)

October 31 is National UNICEF Day, and October is the charity’s biggest fund raising month. Read on to find out how you can get involved and help UNICEF to help improve the lives of children everywhere in the world.

October 31- Halloween

Halloween or Hallowe'en (a contraction of its original title "All Hallows' Even")also known as All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the eve before the Western Christian feast of All Hallows. According to some scholars, All Hallows' Eve initially incorporated traditions from pagan harvest festivals and festivals honoring the dead, particularly the Celtic Samhain; other scholars maintain that the feast originated entirely independently of Samhain.

Typical festive Halloween activities include trick-or-treating (also known as "guising"), attending costume parties, carving jack-o'-lanterns, lighting bonfires, apple bobbing, visiting haunted attractions, playing pranks, telling scary stories, and watching horror films, as well as the religious observances of praying, fasting and attending vigils or church services.

Find more information about the origin of the Halloween and interesting ideas of celebrating this holiday.