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October

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October is the tenth month of the year. It has 31 days in total.

Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry octobre
Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry octobre

This month marks a big change in seasons. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is part of autumn. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is part of spring. This means the weather feels very different depending on where you live.

Maple leaf in fall
Maple leaf in fall

Scientists also track how temperatures change during this month. Recently, warm temperature records have happened more often than cold ones. This happens across many parts of the Earth's surface.

10 October - Percent of global area at temperature records - Global warming - NOAA
10 October - Percent of global area at temperature records - Global warming - NOAA

Many cultures have used different names for this time. The name October comes from the Latin word "octo." This word means "eight."

Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry octobre
Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry octobre

It used to be the eighth month in the old Roman calendar. Later, January and February were added to the start. The Anglo-Saxons had a different name: Winterfylleth. They used this name because of the full moon. They believed this moon marked the start of winter.

Halloween Derry 2005
Halloween Derry 2005

October has many special symbols and signs. The birthstones for this month are opal and tourmaline.

Opal Armband 800pix
Opal Armband 800pix
Tourmaline cut
Tourmaline cut

You might also see the calendula flower. This is the birth flower for October.

Calendula January 2008-1 filtered
Calendula January 2008-1 filtered

People also look to zodiac signs. Libra is the sign until October 22. Scorpio begins on October 23. These signs change at specific times during the day. For example, the change happened at 22:59 UT in 2020.

Pumpkins-2009
Pumpkins-2009

There are many important days to observe in October. In the United States, it is National Pizza Month. It is also National Popcorn Month. Some people celebrate Halloween with decorations.

Halloween Derry 2005
Halloween Derry 2005
Pumpkins-2009
Pumpkins-2009

In the United Kingdom, it is Black History Month. The Catholic Church uses this month for the Holy Rosary.

Beata Vergine Maria, Madonna del Rosario
Beata Vergine Maria, Madonna del Rosario

Many other health and awareness months happen now too. These include World Blindness Awareness Month and World Mental Health Day.

Pumpkins-2009
Pumpkins-2009

Sports fans have a very busy month in North America. This period is sometimes called a sports equinox. This happens when four major leagues all play games. The NBA starts its preseason during this time. The NHL is in its first month of regular games. The NFL is about halfway through its season. Finally, Major League Baseball is in its postseason.

Pumpkins-2009
Pumpkins-2009

This makes October a huge time for sports lovers. It connects many different types of fans together.

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🖼️ Images & Media (9)
File:Maple leaf in fall.jpg
Maple leaf in fall.jpg
File:10 October - Percent of global area at temperature records - Global warming - NOAA.svg
10 October - Percent of global area at...
File:Calendula January 2008-1 filtered.jpg
Calendula January 2008-1 filtered.jpg
File:Opal Armband 800pix.jpg
Opal Armband 800pix.jpg
File:Tourmaline cut.JPG
Tourmaline cut.JPG
File:Beata Vergine Maria, Madonna del Rosario.jpg
Beata Vergine Maria, Madonna del Rosario.jpg
File:Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry octobre.jpg
Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry octobre.jpg
File:Halloween Derry 2005.jpg
Halloween Derry 2005.jpg
File:Pumpkins-2009.jpg
Pumpkins-2009.jpg
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