October, meaning eight in Latin, is the 10th month in Julian and Gregorian calendars. Originally it was the eighth month under the old Roman calendar and retains its name. The month begins the full transition to autumn in the Northern Hemisphere but spring in the Southern Hemisphere.
Photo:Frenchtowner(Wikipedia)
Harvests are underway in October, and seasonal produce appears in the grocery stores. Apples, artichokes, cranberries, pears, and pumpkins are part of this season along with others as well. Autumn festivals are starting to appear as well to celebrate the harvest. A major Autumn festival is Oktoberfest, an annual event that began in 1810 in Munich, Germany. Originally a royal marriage event, it has blossomed into a two-week festival the showcases agriculture, fun games and entertainment lots of food, and of course beer. Lots of beer. The Munich festival, which every major beer brewer in Munich participates, sees over 2 million gallons consumed. When Germans migrated to other countries, the festival came with them, and many cities now have the event.
Another rite of October is pumpkin carving. Back in Ireland, turnips were carved and a candle lit nearby to keep a rather disreputable wandering spirit named Stingy Jack from entering their homes. When the Irish migrated to America, they discovered a unique squash called pumpkin that was much easier to carve. Already useful for pumpkin pie and roasted pumpkin seeds, they started carving their Jack O’ Lanterns and placing them out for people to see. Others liked it and to the delight of pumpkin growers, people wanted more pumpkins to do their own versions. Now it has become its own unique American seasonal hobby to carve the most interesting or scary pumpkin face. Many festivals feature pumpkin carving contests. And today there are serious competitions each year. A related one, but without carving, is the growing of the largest pumpkin. Each year growers try to make a few reach that gargantuan size that will beat the previous year. Half Moon Bay in California is one such place where it takes place annually.
October, of course, is the countdown to All Hallow’s Eve or just Halloween. A time for kids to trick or treat, for parents to fret about all the candy they need to hand out, and of course to watch scary movies. Costumes vary from the simple to the very creative. Thoughtful parents get together and have an event together so that kids can have some fun, eat some creepy looking candy suited for the occasion and hear ghost stores when the lights are turned low. Perhaps that sound of a horse approaching outside is the Headless Horseman!
At any rate, welcome to October and may it be fun for you!
For More Information
Catherine Boeckmann, “The Month of October 2025: Holidays, Fun Facts, Folklore,” Almanac.Com, last modified September 24, 2025, accessed September 29, 2025, https://www.almanac.com/content/month-october-holidays-fun-facts-folklore.
Lesley Kennedy, “The Surprising History of October,” HISTORY, last modified September 29, 2025, accessed September 29, 2025, https://www.history.com/articles/october-month-history-facts.
“The Month of October,” accessed September 29, 2025, https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/months/october.html.
Wikipedia contributors, “October,” Wikipedia, September 26, 2025, accessed September 29, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October.
