Important days and dates in October 2021

October is a month full of festivals and occasions. The term ‘October’ is derived from the Latin word ‘Octo’ which means eight. The Anglo-Saxons called it Winterfylleth, which means ‘fullness of winter’. This is the 10^th month of the year and it consists of 31 days. Originally, it was the eighth month of the Roman calendar until 153 BCE.

In this month, events and festivals are celebrated with full enthusiasm. They even have their own importance. Some of these events are also focused on a particular theme. Here is a list of all the events, both national and international, that come in October 2021.

1^st October celebrates three things. First, comes the International Day of the Older persons. It is observed every year to raise problems faced by elder people. It also promotes the development of society for all ages. On 14^th December 1990, the UNGA adopted a resolution and designated 1^st October as the International Day of Older Persons. This day also recognizes millions of people across the world from farmers, roasters, baristas, and coffee shop owners. It is because this day is celebrated as International Coffee Day to celebrate the hard work people do to create and serve the beverage in the consumable form. This day is also World Vegetarian Day. It was founder by the North American Vegetarian Society (NAVS) in 1977 and it was endorsed by the International Vegetarian Union in the year 1978.

2^nd October is the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. He was born on this day in Porbandar, Gujarat, and is an inspiration in our lives. So this day is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti. Also, to mark his birthday, this day is celebrated as International Day of Non-Violence. On 15^th June 2007, the General assembly decided to observe this day to spread the message of non-violence including education and public awareness.

German Unity Day is celebrated on 3rd October. This is done to mark the anniversary of the nation’s unification. In the year 1990, on 3^rd October, the Federal Republic of Germany and the Democratic Republic of Germany were united as a single federal Germany.

4^th October is World Animal Welfare Day. This is observed to raise awareness among people to take actions worldwide for animal rights and welfare. This day will also be celebrated as World Habitat Day in 2021. It is observed on the first Monday of the month and falls on 4^th October this year. In 1985, it was first celebrated by the United Nations General Assembly and in 1986, it was celebrated across the globe.

World Teacher’s Day comes on 5^th October. It is observed in the whole world since 1966 to commemorate the anniversary of the adoption of the ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of the Teachers. This recommendation sets the benchmarks concerning the rights and responsibilities of teachers, their employment, recruitment, education, etc.

6^th October marks the German-American Day to observe the German-American heritage. India celebrates 8^th October as Indian Air Force Day. It was established in 1932 on this day. Every year, World Postal day is celebrated on 9^th October to raise awareness among people about the role of the postal sector for people and businesses every day. 10th October is World Mental Health Day. It raises awareness about the scale of suicide every year around the world and the role each of us can play to prevent it. This day is supported by WHO and the International Association for Suicide Prevention.

11^th October marks the International Day of the Girl Child to raise voices for girls and stand up for their rights. 13^th October is International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction. People observe this day to raise awareness about the risk of disaster reduction. The UNGA started this day in 1989. World Standards Day is observed every year on 14th October. It raises awareness among regulators, industry, and consumers to show the importance of standardization to the global economy. World Sight Day is observed on the second Thursday of October each year. This year, it falls on 14th October. It aims to increase awareness about attention in vision impairment and blindness.

15^th October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day in the US. It is observed with remembrance ceremonies and candle-lighting vigils. It is also Global Handwashing Day founded by the Global Handwashing Partnership. This day provides an opportunity to design, test, and replicate creative ways to encourage people to wash their hands with soap during critical times. National Federation of the Blind celebrates World White Can Day on 15^th October. With the help of this cane, blind people can move freely and safely from one place to the next. This day is also World Student’s Day. It marks the birth Anniversary of APJ Abdul Kalam. It pays respect to him and his efforts in science and technology and also the role he played throughout his scientific and political careers.

16^th October is World Food Day. It inspires people about healthy diets. Food and Agriculture Organization launched this day and the UN established it in 1945. It is also World Anaesthesia Day which marks the first successful demonstration of diethyl ether anesthesia in 1846. People observe Boss Day on this date to celebrate the hard work and dedication of their employers. This day also highlights World Spine Day to mark the burden of spinal pain and disability around the world.

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is celebrated on 17^th October every year. It marks the adoption of the Convention on the UNCRC on 20^th November 1989. 20^th October is World Statistics Day. People first celebrated it in 2010. The United Nations Statistical Commission created this day to acknowledge the importance of data authenticity and credibility across the globe. 23^rd October is Mole Day. It commemorates Avogadro’s Number and scientists created this day to generate interest in chemistry.

24^th October marks United Nations Day to celebrate the anniversary of the UN Charter’s entry into force. This day is celebrated since 1948. 1971 recommended the UNGA to observe this day as a public holiday. This day is also world Development Information Day. People celebrate it to draw the attention of the world to development problems and the need to strengthen international cooperation to solve them.

Nationally, 30^th October is World Thrift Day. Internationally it is on 31^st October. This day devotes itself to promote itself to savings all over the world. 31^st October marks the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhai Patel. He played an important role in unifying the country. So this day is celebrated as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas or National Unity Day in India.