This is a calendar of US events, holidays, and celebrations. Did your family recognize and/or participate in their recognition? What memories do they recall? Share in the comments. If you are interested in receiving free activity suggestions for these notable dates, please be sure to complete the JOIN TODAY form and we will send it to you via email.
Family History Month, Entire month of October
The United States Congress designated October Family History Month in 2001. The intent was to highlight the importance of family history, genealogy, and preserving family heritage. This month encourages individuals and families to research and document their lineage, share stories, and connect with their roots.
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Entire month of October
"National Breast Cancer Awareness Month" (NBCAM) was created as a collaborative effort between the American Academy of Family Physicians, AstraZeneca Healthcare Foundation, CancerCare, Inc., and a variety of other sponsors to raise awareness and gain funding for research for a cure. The aim is to promote mammography as the most effective weapon in the fight against breast cancer. The month-long campaign involves a variety of events and activities to support the cause.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Entire month of October
National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) traces its origins to 1945 when Congress declared the first week in October "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1988, the observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Week was extended to a month and renamed National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). “This change was made to provide more time to recognize and celebrate the contributions of workers with disabilities and to promote inclusive employment practices.”
Columbus Day, Second Monday in October
Columbus Day commemorates Christopher Columbus's landing in the Americas on October 12, 1492. The first Columbus Day celebration was held in New York in 1792 to honor the 300th anniversary of Columbus's landing. It became a federal holiday in 1937, thanks to the efforts of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization, who lobbied for the holiday to honor their namesake. It is often celebrated with parades and various ceremonies.
Halloween, October 31
Halloween's origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in), celebrated on October 31. The Celts believed that on this night, the boundary between the living and the dead became blurred, and ghosts could return to earth. When Christianity spread into Celtic lands, the church incorporated traditions of Samhain into All Hallows' Eve, which eventually became Halloween. Today, it is celebrated by dressing in costumes, trick-or-treating, carving pumpkins, and hosting parties.
Indigenous Peoples' Day, Second Monday in October
Indigenous Peoples' Day is a holiday that honors Native American peoples and commemorates their histories and cultures. The idea began to gain traction in the late 20th century as a counter-celebration to Columbus Day, which Native Americans and others view as celebrating the colonization and oppression of Indigenous peoples. South Dakota was one of the first states to celebrate Native American Day instead of Columbus Day in 1989. Since then, “according to the Pew Research Center, seventeen states and the District of Columbia now have holidays honoring Native Americans. More than one hundred cities celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day, with many of them having altogether dropped the holiday honoring Columbus to replace it with Indigenous Peoples' Day.”
United Nations Day, October 24
United Nations Day marks the anniversary of the UN Charter's coming into force on October 24, 1945. The UN officially came into existence on this day following ratification by fifty-one of its original members and the five permanent members of the Security Council. The day is observed globally to celebrate the work and achievements of the United Nations and to promote its goals of peace, security, and human rights.
National Coming Out Day, October 11
National Coming Out Day was first celebrated on October 11, 1988, on the first anniversary of the 1987 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. Dr. Robert Eichberg and Jean O’Leary founded the day to raise awareness of the LGBTQ+ community and its civil rights movement. It is a day to support and celebrate individuals who have come out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer.
Boss's Day, October 16
Boss's Day, or National Boss Day, was created in 1958 by Patricia Bays Haroski, an employee at State Farm Insurance Company, to show appreciation for her boss and other bosses. She registered the holiday with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, choosing October 16, her father's birthday, as the date. The day encourages employees to show gratitude towards their supervisors by giving cards or small gifts.
Sweetest Day, Third Saturday in October
Sweetest Day originated in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1921, when candy company employee Herbert Birch Kingston wanted to distribute candy and small gifts to the city's orphans, elderly, and those in need. Local candy companies backed the effort, and it grew into a regional celebration. Today, it is primarily celebrated in the Midwest and parts of the Northeast, encouraging acts of kindness and the gifting of sweets.