Halloween, Knock-Knock Jokes Day, 7 Billion Day, more

October 31st, 2011, is Halloween, Beggars' Night, National Knock-Knock Jokes Day, Carve a Pumpkin Day, Scare a Friend Day, Sneak Some of the Candy Before the Kids Start Knocking Day, National Magic Day, Books for Treats Day, Increase Your Psychic Powers Day, November Eve, Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, Birth of King Sihanouk, La Saoire i mi Dheireadh Fomhair, Reformation Day, 7 Billion Day, and National Caramel Apple Day.

What better way is there to learn about Halloween than by visiting Halloween.com? The word "Halloween" comes from All Hallow's Eve, the day before All Saints Day. Some refer to Halloween as Beggars' Night.

National Knock-Knock Jokes Day is always celebrated on October 31st. How convenient! Knock-knock jokes are perfect "tricks" to perform, in exchange for receiving treats.

Carve a Pumpkin Day is here. Today is your last chance, after all, if your jack-o'-lantern is meant to be part of your Halloween festivities.

Some people celebrate Scare a Friend Day on Halloween. Booo!

HaLife says today is Sneak Some of the Candy Before the Kids Start Knocking Day. A lot of grown-ups celebrate this one.

National Magic Day honors famous magician Harry Houdini, who died on this date in 1926.

The slogan for Books for Treats Day is "Give Brain Candy. Feed Kids' Minds, Not Their Cavities." Nice sentiment, perhaps, but be aware that retaliation is a potential consequence. Kids expect sweets.

October 31st is Increase Your Psychic Powers Day, but you knew I was going to say that, didn't you?

Today is November Eve, signaling not just the coming of a new month, but also Samhain, the Celtic dark season, which begins on November 1st.

Some people opt to Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF today, rather than for personal gain.

Cambodia celebrates the Birth of King Sihanouk on October 31st. Sometimes the celebration lasts three days, combined with a Water Festival. Ironically, this year's Water Festival has been cancelled due to flooding.

The last Monday in October is celebrated in Ireland as a bank holiday - La Saoire i mi Dheireadh Fomhair. Festivities include music, food, a marathon, and Halloween-themed events.

Some countries, including Germany and Slovenia, observe Reformation Day on October 31st. Many churches observe the event on the last Sunday in October.

Want to read something really, really scary this Halloween? Well, the world population is expected to reach 7 billion on or about today's date. Halloween 2011 has been designated as 7 Billion Day. Our world population hit 6 billion not so long ago, in late 1999! Scary.

By now everybody should know it's a bad idea to give or receive homemade treats door-to-door on Halloween. It's perfectly okay, however, to share caramel apples with family and close friends today, in honor of National Caramel Apple Day.

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Haunted Refrigerator Night, Mischief Night, Pumpkin Day, more

October 30th, 2011, is Haunted Refrigerator Night, Mischief Night, Devil's Night, Hell Night, Cabbage Night, Gate Night, Mizzy Night, Miggy Night, Goosing Night, Egg Night, Frankenstein's Monster Day, Sugar Addiction Awareness Day, Create a Great Funeral Day, Checklists Day, Reformation Day, Pumpkin Day, and National Candy Corn Day.

Haunted Refrigerator Night is either a time to raid your fridge for snacks in the wee hours, or a time to clean out the leftovers that have passed their prime.

Mischief Night, Devil's Night, Hell Night, Cabbage Night, Gate Night, Mizzy Night, Miggy Night, Goosing Night, Egg Night - whatever you call it, this is the night before Halloween, when mischievous types in parts of the United States, Canada, and the UK enjoy playing pranks. Some in the UK celebrate on November 4th instead, the night before Bonfire Night.

Frankenstein's Monster Day, always celebrated on October 30th, is yet another holiday celebrating Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's literary creation.

Today is Sugar Addiction Awareness Day, or SAAD. meant to warn us about the dangers of candy overload. But Halloween comes just once a year.

Create a Great Funeral Day offers the opportunity to plan your own funeral, thus sparing your loved ones from guessing what you might want during a time of great stress.

Many of us use checklists every day. There are apps for that! The original concept was invented by a group of pilots, following a plane crash on this date in 1935. The crash happened because the pilot had forgotten to disengage a gust lock. Voila - Checklists Day.

Reformation Day commemorates Martin Luther's posting of his Ninety-five Theses on the door of Castle Church in Wittenburg, Germany, on October 31st, 1517. Thus began the Reformation movement. Many Lutherans and other Christians celebrate the event on the last Sunday in October.

If the harvest season, Halloween, and Thanksgiving don't totally satisfy your need for pumpkin, celebrate Pumpkin Day every October 30th.

National Candy Corn Day honors the most traditional Halloween candy of them all. Don't worry, candy corn isn't a vegetable.

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Hermit Day, Cat Day, Oatmeal Day, more

October 29th, 2011, is Hermit Day, National Cat Day, Internet Day, World Psoriasis Day, Feast Day of Saint Thomas Bellacci, Turkey Republic Day, and National Oatmeal Day.

Hermit Day celebrates the solitary lifestyle. I imagine someone living alone in a cave on a remote mountainside, but I suppose a hermit could dwell in an apartment, ordering supplies online and never setting foot outside.

Today is National Cat Day. Do something special with the feline in your life, perhaps involving a ball of yarn  or a laser pointer.

Internet Day comemorates the anniversary of the first message sent via the Internet back in 1969, between Stanford and UCLA. The message was supposed to be "Login," but the system crashed while trying to send the "g."

World Psoriasis Day is dedicated to those suffering with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

October 29th is the Feast Day of Saint Thomas Bellacci, patron saint of butchers.

Turkey observes Republic Day on this date.

Enjoy a breakfast staple that warms you on the inside today, National Oatmeal Day.

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Frankenstein Friday, Plush Animal Lover's Day, more

October 28th, 2011, is Frankenstein Friday, Plush Animal Lover's Day, Woman Road Warrior Day, National Tell a Story Day, National Bandanna Day, Gone-ta-Pott Day, Feast Day of Saint Jude, Bhai Dooj, Bhai Tika, Ochi Day, Independence Day (Czech Republic), Wild Foods Day, National Breadstix Day, and National Chocolate Day.

The days leading up to Halloween include several devoted to Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's iconic creation. The last Friday in October is Frankenstein Friday.

Children and kids at heart, gather your animal friends. No, not the real ones. Gather your beloved plush critters and celebrate Plush Animal Lover's Day.

The theme for this year's Woman Road Warrior Day is "Where the Sole Meets the Road."

Once upon a time, storytellers in Scotland decided to establish National Tell a Story Day on this date. And they lived happily ever after.

National Bandanna Day is observed in Australia, in support of children battling cancer.

The 28th of every month is Gone-ta-Pott Day, as declared on the holiday website bearing the same name.

Today is the Feast Day of Saint Jude, patron saint of desperate cases and namesake of the incredible St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Bhai Dooj is a major festival in India. Sisters apply holy marks to the foreheads of their brothers, and brothers pledge to keep their sisters safe. Gifts are often exchanged.

Bhai Tika is a holiday that honors brothers, celebrated today in Nepal.

Greece observes Ochi Day (or Oxi Day), remembering when Greece said "ochi" (or "no") to Italian forces which wanted to invade the country in 1940. Greece then joined the Allied Forces against Hitler.

The Czech Republic observes Independence Day on this date.

October 28th is Wild Foods Day. Harvest some if you know what you're doing; visit a reputable health food store if you don't. At the very least, incorporate some fresh produce into your diet.

On National Breadstix Day, HotBox pizza gives away free stix between 2:00 and 5:00 pm. One catch - you've got to be in the vicinity of West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.

As if the upcoming Halloween doesn't offer enough sweet temptation, today we are tempted to indulge because it's National Chocolate Day.

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Cranky Co-Workers Day, Beer Day, Potato Day, more

October 27, 2011, is Cranky Co-Workers Day, Independence Day (Turkmenistan), American Beer Day, and National Potato Day.

Today we celebrate Cranky Co-Workers Day. If you can't pinpoint the cranky co-worker in your office, maybe it's you! Uh oh.

Turkmenistan observes Independence Day today, followed by a similar holiday tomorrow, October 28th.

Cheers - time to celebrate American Beer Day. If you don't drink, I'm sure root beer qualifies.

Today is National Potato Day. Believe it or not, potatoes are yummy when prepared many ways, beyond the ubiquitous french fries!

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Planet-Wide Moon Howl, Mule Day, Mincemeat Day, more

October 26th, 2011, is the Planet-Wide Moon Howl, Mule Day, Universal Children's Day, Lung Health Day, Diwali, Cook Islands Gospel Day, National Day (Austria), National Pumpkin Day, and National Mincemeat Day.

In years past, October 26th has been celebrated as the Planet-Wide Moon Howl, but the holiday seems to have fizzled. Do your part to reignite the spark tonight, if you're so inclined. Here's a Warren Zevon tune to get you in the mood:

Today is Mule Day, commemorating the date in 1985 when Spanish mules were first brought to the New World. Goatview Farm offers the best ever "recipe" for making a mule: "Mix one male donkey and one female horse. Put in a warm place for 11 months." If you try this recipe, let me know how things turn out.

Universal Children's Day is observed on the 4th Wednesday in October in Australia, while the United Nations observes the event in November. Everyone is encouraged to do their part so children can enjoy both a happy childhood and a quality education.

Lung Health Day falls on the last Wednesday in October, as part of National Respiratory Care Week. The AARC (American Association for Respiratory Care) sponsors the events, including fundraisers for asthma camps and educational screenings.

Diwali is celebrated by HIndus for five days. The third day, the Festival of Lights, is the most prominent. Celebrants light diyas and candles, exchange gifts, and seek the blessings of the Goddess of Wealth. This year the Festival of Lights falls on October 26th.

Cook Islanders celebrate Gospel Day on the local level several times a year, but all come together on October 26th to celebrate National Gospel Day.

Austria observes National Day on October 26th, commemorating the formation of the Second Republic after World War II.

Today is National Pumpkin Day. Whether you prefer pies or jack-o'-lanterns, enjoy the season and eat your pepitas!

Holiday traditionalists and foodies need to know that today is National Mincemeat Day. Mincemeat is made from dried fruits, meat suet, and sometimes minced meat. Alton Brown's Mincemeat Pie recipe takes 45 minutes of active prep, 30 minutes of cooking time, and - this is not a typo - 72 hours of inactive prep. Good luck with that!

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Punk for a Day, Sourest Day, Greasy Foods Day, more

October 25th, 2011, is Punk for a Day, Sourest Day, Say "Hey" Day, Feast Day of Saints Crispin and Crispinian, Republic Day (Kazakhstan), Thanksgiving (Grenada), Retrocession Day (Taiwan), National Greasy Foods Day, and World Pasta Day.

If you're feeling punk in attitude or appearance (or just want to experiment), here's your chance - celebrate Punk for a Day. Just keep in mind that tomorrow is another day.

Tone down your sweetness today; embrace the sour. (That could tie in nicely with Punk for a Day, just sayin'.) Celebrate Sourest Day.

Hey - you know what? Today is Say "Hey" Day. So there. I said "hey."

October 25th is the Feast Day of Saints Crispin and Crispinian, brothers and patron saints of shoemakers, cobblers, and leatherworkers. Enjoy the St. Crispin's Day speech from Shakespeare's Henry V.

Kazakhstan observes Republic Day on October 25th, the anniversary of the 1990 adoption of their Declaration on State Sovereignty.

Grenada officially celebrates Thanksgiving today, although some feel it is an artificial holiday, imported from the United States.

Taiwan observes Retrocession Day, commemorating the end of Japanese rule in 1945.

If you love fast food or diner food, if grease runs through your veins, then today is your special day - National Greasy Foods Day. Roll up your sleeves and keep some napkins handy.

The UN.A.F.P.A. (Union des Associations de Fabricants de Pates Alimentaires de l'U.E. or Union of Organizations of Manufacturers of Pasta Products of the E.U.) sponsors World Pasta Day, along with the National Pasta Association (United States) and the Associations of Venezuela and Turkey. They wish to "draw the attention of the media and consumers to pasta." Pasta is a global food, consumed on all continents, meeting basic food requirements and satisfying "those of high-level gastronomy." Hard to argue with that! 

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Food Day, United Nations Day, Bologna Day, more

October 24th, 2011, is Food Day, United Nations Day, World Development Information Day, International School Library Day, Independence Day (Zambia), Labour Day (New Zealand), National Good & Plenty Day, and National Bologna Day.

Food Day promotes six principles, two of which are improving the eating habits of Americans and supporting sustainable farms.

United Nations Day commemorates the formation of the United Nations on this date in 1945.

The United Nations sponsors World Development Information Day on October 24th: "Information and communications technologies have the potential to provide new solutions to development challenges, particularly in the context of globalization, and can foster economic growth, competitiveness, access to information and knowledge, poverty eradication and social inclusion."

International School Library Day falls on the fourth Monday of October. Support the library system at your school or district.

 Zambia observes Independence Day on October 24th.

New Zealand observes Labour Day on this date.

Just one week before Halloween the spotlight falls on one specific candy - Good & Plenty. Especially if you're fond of licorice, celebrate National Good & Plenty Day.

It's okay to be full of baloney/bologna today, National Bologna Day.

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Scorpio the Scorpion, October 23 to November 21

Scorpio. Image: Salvatore Vuono, FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Everyone born between October 23rd and November 21st is a Scorpio, the sign of the Scorpion.

For more information about Scorpio:

• Scorpio Daily Horoscope
• What's-Your-Sign for Scorpio
• Astrology.com: Scorpio Sun Sign
• StarDate: Scorpius, the Scorpion
• Farmers' Almanac: Zodiac Signs, Astrology and Astronomy Explained

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TV Talk Show Host Day, National Mole Day, Chulalongkorn, more

October 23rd, 2011, is TV Talk Show Host Day, iPod Day, XTERRA World Championship, National Mole Day, Mother-in-Law Day, Chulalongkorn Day, Paris Peace Treaty Day, National Canned Food Day, and National Boston Cream Pie Day.

TV Talk Show Host Day honors all TV talk show hosts, but the date commemorates the birth of legendary host Johnny Carson. Heeeeere's Johnny! (And here's a shout-out to my current favorite, Craig Ferguson. He is the sharpest knife in the drawer.)

The first iPod was unveiled on this date in 2001; the first iPod hit the market in November 2001. We've come a long way since then. Happy iPod Day, with a nod to Apple's co-founder, Steve Jobs.

The 2011 XTERRA World Championship takes place in Maui, Hawaii, USA. It is the "world's premier off-road triathlon," featuring a 1.5-kilometer rough water swim, a 29.5-kilometer mountain bike race, and a 9.8-kilometer trail run. Follow the action on Twitter at #XTERRA and #XTERRAMaui.

The theme for National Mole Day 2011, according to the National Mole Day Foundation, Inc., is "Moles of the Round Table." Mole Day isn't what you probably think it is. Celebrated from 6:02 am to 6:02 pm on 10/23, Mole Day celebrates Avogadro's Number, 6.02 x 10^23, and the mole, a unit of measure in chemistry.

The fourth Sunday in October is Mother-in-Law Day. If you have a mother-in-law, surprise her with something special.

Chulalongkorn Day is observed in Thailand, in memory of King Rama V.

Cambodia observes Paris Peace Treaty Day, remembering the end of civil war and the formation of its democratic governement during negotiations held in Paris.

Did you know a French chef invented canning? Me neither - I was shocked. National Canned Food Day commemorates the birth date of chef Nicolas Appert, the "Father of Canning." Many health experts recommend switching to fresh or frozen, but the canned food aisles remain stocked and popular in grocery stores everywhere.

October 23rd honors the official dessert of Massachusetts, Boston Cream Pie. Good thing it's not the official pie, because it's really a cake. Have some without question or guilt on National Boston Cream Pie Day.

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Pit Bull Awareness Day, Color Day, Make a Difference Day, more

October 22nd, 2011, is Pit Bull Awareness Day, National Color Day, Make a Difference Day, INTERNATIONAL CAPS LOCK DAY, International Stuttering Awareness Day, and National Nut Day.

Bless the Bullys promotes Pit Bull Awareness Day, "to raise awareness to the plight of the All-American pit bull terrier AND to make a united stand against breed specific legislation."

October 22nd is National Color Day. Did you know 2011 is the year of Honeysuckle, according to Pantone? Learn more about the impact of color in your home from my friends at Your Decorating Resource.

On Make a Difference Day, volunteers around the world participate in food drives, green space projects, community building renovations, and more.

October 22nd is INTERNATIONAL CAPS LOCK DAY. The "international" part is tongue-in-cheek, apparently, because some languages don't even have upper- and lower-case letters. YELL IN TEXT if you choose or follow the Twitter action at #capslockday.

International Stuttering Awareness Day is a time to learn more about stuttering, a communication disorder involving repetitions, prolongations, or abnormal stoppages.

The United Kingdom observes the second annual National Nut Day in 2011 - presumably to celebrate edible treats, not crazy people. The United States has a longer tradition of observing this holiday.

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Babbling Day, Judgment Day, Count Your Buttons Day, more

October 21st, 2011 is Babbling Day, Judgment Day, Count Your Buttons Day, Reptile Awareness Day, Global Iodine Deficiency Day, National Mammography Day, Feast Day of Saint Ursula, Armed Forces Day (Honduras), Caramel Apple Day, Pop Rocks Day (proposed), and National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day.

Oh, I could go on and on about the wonders of this first holiday, honoring those who like to use many words when few would do, but then again perhaps you're busy and you're hoping I'll cut to the chase. What? It's already too late for me to cut to the chase? What does the expression "cut to the chase" mean, anyway? Wait - what was my original point? Oh, right. Today is Babbling Day.

Earlier this year, Harold Camping and his Family Radio followers predicted the end of the world would happen (or start to happen) on May 21st, 2011. But then nothing happened. He then stated that the new date for Judgment Day would "probably" be October 21st, 2011. Be warned. I just hope my beloved St. Louis Cardinals will be granted time enough to win the World Series before everything falls apart.

Today is Count Your Buttons Day. I actually have a collection of odd buttons in my sewing kit. The array of colors and shapes pleases me, and some of the buttons are old enough to be antiques. But if I do take time to count them, should I stop with that? What about the buttons on the clothes my family and I have hanging in our closets? Perhaps I'll think about it next year, if the world is still turning.

Reptile Awareness Day celebrates those critters that some love, others despise (or misunderstand). The folks at ReptileChannel.com point out that this holiday has a "RAD" acronym.

Global Iodine Deficiency Day is meant to raise awareness of the physical problems that result from iodine deficiency, including brain damage.

Today is National Mammography Day. If you or a loved one are overdue for this important breast exam, please schedule it today. A simple test could save a life.

October 21st is the Feast Day of Saint Ursula. She is the patron saint of students.

Honduras observes Armed Forces Day on October 21st.

Today might be Caramel Apple Day, but if you have other plans this holiday comes around again in just ten days, on Halloween.

In the estimable opinion of the blogger(s) at Months of Edible Celebrations, October 21st should be designated Pop Rocks Day in honor of  William A. Mitchell, creator. I wholeheartedly agree! Mitchell, who was born on this date, also invented Cool Whip and Tang. One man, three iconic concoctions.

If you're hungry for an autumnal dessert not involving apples and caramel, celebrate National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day.

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Information Overload Awareness Day, Get Smart about Credit Day, more

October 20th, 2011, is Information Overload Awareness Day, Get Smart about Credit Day, International Credit Union Day, World Statistics Day, Air Traffic Control Day, Get to Know Your Customers Day, World Osteoporosis Day, Birth of the Bab, Kenyatta Day, Revolution Day (Guatemala), and National Brandied Fruit Day.

Does October 20th feature too many holidays for your taste? Are you suffering from information overload? If so, feel free to stop reading this Holiday Whiz post right now - just for today. Happy Information Overload Awareness Day!

The third Thursday of October is Get Smart about Credit Day. Most of us could use a refresher course at the very least.

The theme of International Credit Union Day 2011 is "Credit Unions Build a Better World," meant to highlight the economic and social contributions of credit unions.

2010 marked the first observance of World Statistics Day, sponsored by the United Nations to "recognize the importance of statistics in shaping our societies."

The International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers has designated October 20th as Air Traffic Control Day. Be thankful to the dedicated souls who help us arrive safely at our destinations with our tray tables in the upright position.

The third Thursday of each quarter is Get to Know Your Customers Day. Smart salespeople will take this holiday to heart.

"Love Your Bones" is a fitting slogan for World Osteoporosis Day. Follow relevant tweets at #wod_2011.

Followers of the Baha'i faith celebrate the Birth of the Bab on October 20th. Some compare the mission of the Bab with the mission of Jesus.

Kenya celebrates the memory of founding father Jomo Kenyatta today, Kenyatta Day.

Guatemala observes Revolution Day on October 20th, remembering their 1944 uprising against dictatorship.

Do you enjoy brandy? If so, whip up a concoction of brandy, sugar, and your favorite fruits in honor of National Brandied Fruit Day.

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Orionids Meteor Shower 2011

The 2011 Orionids Meteor Shower, potentially visible from October 15th through October 29th, will be at its peak on the night of October 21st. Like the ETA Aquarids Meteor Shower, the Orionids takes place when the earth passes through the dust of Halley's Comet. The meteor shower is visible in both hemispheres.

City lights, called light pollution, can interfere with viewing. So can reflected moonlight. The waning crescent moon will block some but not all visibility. Pay close attention, because the Orionids are known to be especially speedy.

Meteor showers are named for the constellation they appear to be near. The Orionids Meteor Shower appears near Orion the Hunter.

Stargazing bench. Image: suphakit73; FreeDigitalPhotos

Check out these sites for more information about the Orionids Meteor Shower, including recommended viewing times for your corner of the globe:

• Spacedex
• EarthSky's meteor shower guide for 2011
• StarDate 2011 Meteor Showers
• American Meteor Society

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Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day, Seafood Bisque Day, more

October 19th, 2011, is Evaluate Your Life Day, Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day, Medical Assistants Recognition Day, Mother Teresa Day, and Seafood Bisque Day.

Today is Evaluate Your Life Day. Have you met your important goals? Touched the lives of others? Checked off a few items on your  bucket list? Take time to ponder and maybe set some new goals.

The third Wednesday in October is Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day. If they have helped your business or neighborhood, show your appreciation.

Medical Assistants Recognition Day is observed in the middle of Medical Assistants Recognition Week.

Albania celebrates Mother Teresa Day on October 19th, the anniversary of the day in 2003 when she was beatified by the Vatican. Mother Teresa was born in Albania.

Warm your heart and your tummy with a steaming bowl of goodness on Seafood Bisque Day.

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No Beard Day, Boost Your Brain Day, more

October 18th, 2011, is No Beard Day, Boost Your Brain Day, World Menopause Day, Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity, Saint Luke Feast Day, Independence Day (Azerbaijan), Alaska Day, and National Chocolate Cupcake Day.

Sorry, Santa Claus. Sorry, ZZ Top. Today is No Beard Day.

Ready for some mental gymnastics? Amp up your skill at chess or learn some mnemonic strategies. Celebrate Boost Your Brain Day

If you're a woman of a certain age, talk to your doctor about your menopausal symptoms. Confide in a trusted friend. There's no need for you to go through this transition all alone. October 18th is World Menopause Day.

Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity is a day for silent protest against abortion in the United States. Participants wear red arm bands and duct tape, and also distribute informational fliers.

October 18th is the Feast Day of Saint Luke. He is the patron saint of physicians and surgeons.

Azerbaijan observes Independence Day on October 18th, celebrating independence from the Soviet Union since 1991.

Alaska Day commemorates the day in 1867 when the United States purchased Alaska from Russia. The theme for the festival in 2011 is "Celebrating Alaskan Aviation."

Who doesn't love chocolate cake, and who doesn't love portable snacks? Combine the two and you've got chocolate cupcakes, one of my daughter's favorite foods. October 18th is National Chocolate Cupcake Day.

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Wear Something Gaudy Day, Clean Your Virtual Desktop Day, more

October 17th, 2011, is Wear Something Gaudy Day, National Clean Your Virtual Desktop Day, Mulligan Day, Black Poetry Day, International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Hurricane Thanksgiving Day, Death of Dessalines, National Heroes' Day (Jamaica), and National Pasta Day.

Tired of being predictable? Bored with being a wallflower? Draw attention to yourself by celebrating Wear Something Gaudy Day. Here's some inspiration!

The third Monday in October is National Clean Your Virtual Desktop Day. How many icons, shortcuts, and widgets do you need, anyway?

On Mulligan Day, don't stress your mistakes. Enjoy free do-overs! (In theory, at least. Don't test this out in situations that really matter, such as driving or performing brain surgery.)

Black Poetry Day commemorates the birth date of Jupiter Hammon, the first African American to publish poetry in the United States.

October 17th is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon writes, "Together, let us listen to people - and stand up for their hopes and aspirations. That is how we will build a world free of poverty."

The U.S. Virgin Islands celebrates Hurricane Thanksgiving Day, giving thanks that the most active months of the hurricane season have passed.

Haiti observes the Death of Dessalines as a national holiday. Jean-Jacques Dessalnes is remembered for his role in achieving Haiti's independence from France, even though he was not beloved as an emperor.

Jamaica observes National Heroes' Day on the third Monday in October.

National Pasta Day celebrates noodly food in all forms - ziti (bridegrooms), spaghetti (length of cord), fusilli (twisted spaghetti), farfalle (butterflies), gemili (twins), and countless others.

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Dictionary Day, Bells Across America for Fallen Firefighters, more

October 16th, 2011, is Dictionary Day, Feral Cat Day, Bells Across America for Fallen Firefighters, National Boss' Day, World Food Day, and National Liqueur Day.

Dictionary Day commemorates the birth date of Noah Webster, author of A Compendious Dictionary of the English Language, considered to be the first American dictionary. Make a list of words you're unsure of - perhaps starting with "compendious" - then look them up!

Feral Cat Day is meant to prevent unnecessary killing of outdoor cats, via spay/neuter programs and educational outreach.

The Bells Across America for Fallen Firefighters campaign encourages churches across the United States to ring their bells in honor of firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty during the past year. The event is part of the 30th Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend.

National Boss' Day is observed on October 16th. Since this year it falls on a Sunday, some move the celebration to October 17th, the nearest business day. Either way, show your boss some appreciation. Jobs are valuable commodities these days.

The theme for World Food Day 2011 is "Food prices - from crisis to stability." Rising prices harm the poorest people the most.

Raise a glass or two in celebration of National Liqueur Day. Just make sure someone else drives you home.

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October 2011 weeks to celebrate

October features many week-long celebrations, Halloween-related and beyond. Peruse this list to find your favorite week-long celebrations for October 2011.

Walk Your Dog Week - October 1st to October 7th

Wildlife Week - October 1st to October 7th
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta - October 1st to October 9th
Mystery Series Week - October 2nd to October 8th
National Chestnut Week - October 2nd to October 8th
Nuclear Medicine Week - October 2nd to October 8th
National Newspaper Week - October 2nd to October 8th
National Carry a Tune Week - October 2nd to October 8th
Mental Illness Awareness Week - October 2nd to October 8th
Intergeneration Week - October 2nd to October 8th
Get Organized Week - October 2nd to October 8th
Great Books Week - first week in October
Drive Safely to Work Week - first week in October
Teller Appreciation Week - first week in October
National Yearbook Week - October 3rd to October 7th

Rideshare Week - October 3rd to October 7th
Customer Service Week - October 3rd to October 7th
Financial Planning Week - October 3rd to October 9th
Spinning and Weaving Week - October 3rd to October 9th

No Salt Week - October 3rd to October 10th
World Dairy Expo - October 4th to October 8th
World Space Week - October 4th to October 10th
National Chili Week - October 4th to October 10th
National PA Week - October 6th to October 12th
Animal Welfare Week - October 6th to October 12th
National Storytelling Festival - October 7th to October 9th
American Craft Week - October 7th to October 16th

Cephalopod Awareness Days - October 8th to October 12th

Build Your Business with Business Cards Week - October 9th to October 15th
Emergency Nurses Week - October 9th to October 15th
Fire Prevention Week - October 9th to October 15th

National Metric Week - October 9th to October 15th
National Work from Home Week - October 9th to October 15th
National Veterinary Technicians Week - October 9th to October 15th

Mental Health Week - October 9th to October 15th
Pet Peeve Week - second week in October
Home-Based Business Week - second week in October
National School Lunch Week - October 10th to October 14th
Kids' Goal-Setting Week - October 10th to October 14th
World Rainforest Week - October 10th to October 16th
Take Your Medicine, Americans Week - October 10th to October 16th
Chocolate Week - October 10th to October 16th
National Steak Week - October 12th to October 18th
Sukkot - October 12th to October 19th
Bone and Joint National Action Week - October 12th to October 20th
New York Comic Con - October 13th to October 16th

National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend - October 14th to October 16th
Wolf Awareness Week - October 16th to October 22nd
Worldwide Character Counts! Week - October 16th to October 22nd
Freedom from Workplace Bullies Week - October 16th to October 22nd

National Food Bank Week - October 16th to October 22nd
Getting the World to Beat a Path to your Door Week - October 16th to October 22nd
Make Your Mark Week (formerly Kids Care Week) - October 16th to October 22nd

Radon Action Week - October 16th to October 22nd
National Save for Retirement Week - October 16th to October 22nd
National Chemistry Week - October 16th to October 22nd
National Forest Products Week - October 16th to 22nd
National Hospital and Health-System Pharmacy Week - October 16th to October 22nd
Teen Read Week - October 16th to October 22nd

National Kraut Sandwich Week - third week in October
Medical Assistants Recognition Week - October 17th to October 21st
National School Bus Safety Week - October 17th to October 21st
Infection Control Week - October 17th to October 21st
Credit Union Week - October 17th to October 21st
Free Speech Week - October 17th to 23rd
National Freedom of Speech Week - October 17th to October 23rd
YWCA Week Without Violence - October 17th to October 23rd
Food and Drug Interaction Education and Awareness Week - October 17th to October 24th
National Pickled Peppers Week - October 18th to October 24th
Peace and Social Justice Week - October 18th to October 24th
Universal Children's Week - October 22nd to October 30th
Red Ribbon Week - October 22nd to October 30th
Family Week - October 22nd to October 30th
National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week - October 23rd to October 29th

National Massage Therapy Awareness Week - October 23rd to October 29th
Pastoral Care Week - October 23rd to October 29th
National Respiratory Care Week - October 23rd to October 29th
Disarmament Week - October 24th to October 30th
Prescription Errors Education and Awareness Week - October 24th to October 31st
National Magic Week - October 25th to October 31st
Peace, Friendship, and Goodwill Week - October 25th to October 31st
All Angels Day Weekend - October 29th to October 30th
Give Wildlife a Brake! Week - October 31st to November 6th
National Drug Facts Week - October 31st to November 6th

If you know of more week-long celebrations in October, please comment below.

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Sweetest Day, Grouch Day, Roast Pheasant Day, more

October 15th, 2011, is Sweetest Day, National Grouch Day, Global Handwashing Day, Bridge Day, International Day of Rural Women, White Cane Safety Day, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, National Latino AIDS Awareness Day, Mother's Day (Malawi), National Chicken Cacciatore Day, National Roast Pheasant Day, and National Mushroom Day.

Sweetest Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in October. The event originated in Cleveland, Ohio, in the middle of the twentieth century, when a man decided to distribute small gifts to orphans and shut-ins. Over time the sentiment expanded to included more cities and to embrace acts of kindness to anyone whose spirits could use a lift.

As if to counteract Sweetest Day, today is also known as National Grouch Day. This holiday is endorsed by Sesame Street Magazine.

Global Handwashing Day was created in 2008 to "foster and support a global culture of handwashing with soap, shine a spotlight on the state of handwashing in every country, [and] raise awareness about the benefits of handwashing with soap."

Bridge Day in Fayette, West Virginia is the one day every year when people are allowed to BASE jump from the New River Gorge Bridge into the gorge below. BASE stands for Building, Antenna, Span, and Earth.

October 15th is the International Day of Rural Women. United Nations Secretary Ban Ki-moon writes, "This year's International Day of Rural Women falls at a time of heightened awareness of the important contribution women are making to social progress."

White Cane Safety Day is a time to raise awareness among sighted people, regarding safety for independent individuals who happen to be blind.

October 15th is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, a day to remember the little lives that ended all too soon.

National Latino AIDS Awareness Day is meant to raise awareness about prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS among Hispanics.

Malawi celebrates Mother's Day on October 15th, the centerpiece of a three-day festival.

Did you know "cacciatore" means "hunter" in Italian? Me neither. Celebrate National Chicken Cacciatore Day.

Fall brings cooler temperatures for all and freedom to crank up the oven for the home cook. Make a grand dinner in honor of National Roast Pheasant Day.

Fashion your favorite fungi into a foodie feast today, National Mushroom Day.

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Be Bald and Be Free Day, Chocolate Covered Insect Day, more

October 14th, 2011, is Be Bald and Be Free Day, National Day (Yemen), World Egg Day, and National Chocolate Covered Insect Day.

Who needs shampoo, blow dryers, and combs? As a matter of fact, who needs hair? October 14th is Be Bald and Be Free Day.

Yemen observes National Day on October 14th.

Scrambled, sunny side up, poached, in a cake - however you prefer your eggs, enjoy them on World Egg Day.

Someone once said, everything is better with chocolate. Do you agree? If so, step up and embrace National Chocolate Covered Insect Day.

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English Language Day, Skeptics Day, Yorkshire Pudding Day, more

October 13th, 2011, is English Language Day, International Skeptics Day, National Train Your Brain Day, International Day for Disaster Reduction, World Sight Day, Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, Saint Edward the Confessor Feast Day, and National Yorkshire Pudding Day.

In anticipation of the upcoming Olympics in London, the theme for this year's English Language Day is "The Language of Sport."

Are you skeptical about today's celebration of International Skeptics Day? Good job, if so, for some say the date should be October 13th, some say January 13th, and others say the first Friday the 13th of the year. Whatever.

Put on your thinking cap and do a mental workout in honor of National Train Your Brain Day.

The International Day for Disaster Reduction used to be known as the International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction, but it was expanded in 2009 to include all disasters. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon writes, "Vulnerability to disaster is growing faster than resilience.... Disaster risk reduction should be an everyday concern for everybody. Let us all invest today for a safer tomorrow."

The second Thursday in October is World Sight Day, meant to raise awareness of blindness and visual impairment, along with prevention and treatment options.

Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day is observed every year on October 13th. Dr. Susan Love writes, "Reach out today to someone you know that represents the other side of breast cancer, the one that is not so pink."

October 13th is the Feast Day of Saint Edward the Confessor. He is the patron saint of difficult marriages.

Today is National Yorkshire Pudding Day, but be warned - Yorkshire pudding is neither sweet nor is it diet food. It consists of a pan of pancake batter, placed under roasting mutton to catch the drippings.

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Dia de la Raza, Fossil Day, Day of the Six Billion, more

October 12th, 2011, is Columbus Day, Native American Day, Dia de la Raza (Day of the Race), Dia de la Hispanidad (Hispanic Day), Fiesta Nacional de Espana (National Day), Dia de la Resistencia (Day of Indigenous Resistance), National Fossil Day, Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work and School Day, International Top Spinning Day, Day of the Six Billion, Moment of Frustration Scream Day, Freethought Day, Emergency Nurses Day, Stop America's Violence Everywhere (SAVE), Old Farmer's Day, Feast Day of Our Lady of Aparecida, Bouk Ok Pansa, Independence Day (Equatorial Guinea), Cookbook Launch Day, and National Gumbo Day.

October 12th is the actual date of Columbus Day or Native American Day, when Columbus first set foot in America, although the United States generally observes the holiday on the second Monday in October. The event is not a celebration for all, as the arrival of Europeans meant loss of land and freedom for many indigenous people. Spanish-speaking countries observe the event today as Dia de la Raza (Day of the Race), Dia de la Hispanidad (Hispanic Day), or Fiesta Nacional de Espana (National Day). Venezuela observes Dia de la Resistencia (Day of Indigenous Resistance).

National Fossil Day honors all fossils, but the holiday is also embraced as the fifth and final event of Cephalopod Days.

Need some comfort or moral support? Today is Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work and School Day. Just be prepared to answer a lot of questions as you go about your day with a teddy bear cradled in your arms.

Add your own spin on this day, International Top Spinning Day.

Day of the Six Billion is a reason for concern, not for celebration. According to the UNFPA, the earth's population reached 6,000,000,000 on or about October 12th, 1999.

If you're having a bad day, if you're sad because you left your teddy bear at home, if you're fed up with politicians and the news of the world, vent your stress with a primal scream. Today is Moment of Frustration Scream Day.

Freethought Day is meant to increase awareness and tolerance of others' beliefs or lack thereof. According to Secular Seasons, "In this day and age in the United States, discrimination, hatred, and bias against freethinkers is still allowed, even promoted, by many in this country."

The second Wednesday of October is celebrated as Emergency Nurses Day. They are special, dedicated individuals.

Sponsored by the AMA Alliance, Stop America's Violence Everywhere (SAVE) is observed on the second Wednesday in October.

During this harvest season, remember the ones who tend the crops. Celebrate Old Farmer's Day.

Brazil celebrates the Feast Day of Our Lady of Aparecida on October 12th. The Patroness of Brazil is also known as Our Lady Who Appeared.

Bouk Ok Pansa means "End of the Rains Retreat" in Laotian. Buddhist monks end their three-month retreat on this public holiday in Laos, celebrated on the full moon of the eleventh lunar month.

Equatorial Guinea observes Independence Day on this date, celebrating freedom from Spanish rule since 1968.

Share your culinary creativity with the world today, Cookbook Launch Day. Alternatively, visit your favorite book retailer and purchase a new cookbook.

Enjoy a flavorful dish that shouts "New Orleans!" today, National Gumbo Day.

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Full Moon for October 2011 - Kindly Moon and other names

Full moon. Image: morgueFile.

The full moon for October 2011 takes place tonight, October 11th. Too bad it couldn't wait for Halloween. Oh well. Following is a list of full moon names for October, ranging from common to surprising.

Leaf Falling Moon - Abenaki
White Frost on Grass and Ground - Algonquin
Falling Leaves Moon - Anishnaabe
Time When the Corn Is Taken In - Apache
Falling Leaves - Arapaho
Joins Both Sides Moon - Assiniboine
Striped Gopher Looks Back Moon - Assiniboine
Vap Poya - Buddhist
Harvest Moon - Celtic
Harvest Moon - Cherokee
Moon When the Water Begins to Freeze on the Edge of the Streams - Cheyenne
Kindly Moon - Chinese
Big Chestnut Moon - Choctaw
Blackberry Moon - Choctaw
Hunter's Moon - Colonial American
Fall Season Moon - Comanche
The Moon the Birds Fly South - Cree
Big Chestnut Moon - Creek
Moon When Quilling and Beading Is Done - Dakotah Sioux
Blood Moon - English Medieval
Wine Moon - English Medieval
Bears Hibernate - Haida
Ashwin Purnima - Hindu
Kojagari Purnima - Hindu
Sharad Poornima - Hindu
Moon of Harvesting - Hopi
Moon of Long Hair - Hopi
Tugluvik - Inuit
After Harvest - Kalapuya
Start Getting Sagittair Roots - Kalapuya
Ten-Colds Moon (early October) - Kiowa
Leaves Full - Klamath
Middle-Finger Moon (counting on fingers, beginning in August) - Klamath
Halanyimcep - Kumeyaay
Moon When the Wind Shakes Off Leaves - Lakota
Time of Poverty - Mohawk
Small Tree Freeze - Mountain Maidu
Small Wind - Navajo
Blood Moon - Neo Pagan
Harvest Moon - Passamaquoddy
Trees Felled by Fire at Butt - Pomo
Moon When They Store Food in Caches - Ponca
Moon of the First Frost - Potawatomi
Wilted Moon - Shawnee
Rutting Moon - Shoshone
Moon of Changing Season - Sioux
Moon of Falling Leaves - Sioux
Corn Ripe Moon - Taos
Big Moon - Tlingit
Young Animals Moon - Tlingit
Dying Grass Moon - Unknown
Sanguine Moon - Unknown
Shedding Moon - Unknown
Snow Moon - Unknown
Spirit Moon - Unknown
Travel Moon - Unknown
White Frost Moon - Unknown
Windermanoth - Unknown
Winterfelleth Moon - Unknown
Acorns Cached - Valley Maidu
Blood Moon - Wiccan
Travel in Canoes Moon - Wishram
Yohti Meecha - Yaqui
Corn Ripening - Yuchi
Big Wind Moon - Zuni

Sources for full moon names:

• Farmers' Almanac - Full Moon Names and Their Meanings
• Moon Names
• A Witchy Life - October: Blood Moon
• Indian Moons, Days & Other Calendar Stuff
• Hindu Blog - Purnima 2011-2012
• Spring Wolf's Pagan Path - Full Moon Names
• About.com: Paganism/Wicca - Moon Phase Names in the Southern Hemisphere
• Willow Grove - Esbats & Full Moon Names
• Moon Names for a Full Year
• Wikipedia - Full Moon

More about the moon:

• Keith's Moon Page
• USNO Data Services
• Google Moon
• National Geographic - Moon Facts
• Calendars through the Ages - A month of moons

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Kraken Day, It's My Party Day, Coming Out Day, more

October 11th, 2011, is Kraken Day, "You Go, Girl" Day, It's My Party Day, Coming Out Day, National Face Your Fears Day, Macedonian National Uprising Day, General Pulaski Memorial Day, and National Sausage Pizza Day.

Kraken Day is part of the annual Cephalopod Days celebration.

"You Go, Girl" Day is a time to celebrate all things girly, feminine, and independent.

October 11th is always It's My Party Day. If you need a reason, feel free to embrace any holiday on today's list. How about a pizza party? You could serve sausage pizza for National Sausage Pizza Day, pepperoni cut to resemble kraken for Kraken Day, and anchovy pizza with spinach and liver for National Face Your Fears Day. Have fun!

Today is Coming Out Day, and there's an app for that. Show your support for the LGBT community by using a special Facebook app or tweeting to #comingout.

What is your greatest fear? Fear of heights, fear of flying, fear of coming out of the closet, fear of failure, fear of public speaking? Begin the journey to self-improvement on National Face Your Fears Day.

Macedonia observes Macedonian National Uprising Day on October 11th, remembering the people's uprising against fascism during World War II.

General Pulaski Memorial Day honors the Polish-born Casmir Pulaski, who supported the colonists against England during the American Revolution. He became known as the "Father of the American Cavalry."

As if most of us need another excuse to eat pizza, today we celebrate National Sausage Pizza Day.

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