October Holidays: 8 You Should Know
October is jam-packed with holidays, but seven are especially important. Prominent among those October holidays is the federal holiday of Columbus Day. This is the only federal holiday in October 2026; federal offices, banks, and USPS close nationwide. It has an interesting history; in particular, it has been renamed to recognize Indigenous Peoples.
Columbus Day is also important because there are parades. The most noteworthy of these is the parade in New York City. In that parade, the Knights of Columbus march in their regalia. When you think of the Knights of Columbus, you probably think of them in their regalia. They wear a blazer, tie, beret, and a ceremonial sword. Do you know the Knights of Columbus regalia?
8 October Holidays
October is a month of great change. Not only do the days get shorter in the Northern Hemisphere, but it gets cooler too. This month is marked by some important holidays; here are seven you should know.
October 5: A Very Busy Day
Frances Xavier Cabrini is recognized on the first Monday of October and is a Colorado state holiday. She is important because she was the first American citizen to be canonized by the Catholic Church. Historically, the Church has been focused on Europe and Europeans, so the recognition of an American Citizen as a saint is important. There is an American Pope now.
Also on the fifth of the month, we celebrate World Teachers’ Day. We must have a day to recognize these people; they give a lot. When one thinks of what teachers do, one recognizes we must have a day to recognize them. If you think about it, we rely on teachers to help raise our children. So, on the fifth, give the teachers in your life an apple.
October 9: The Real Discovery of North America
The ninth of the month is Leif Erikson Day. He was a Norse explorer and explorer who is thought to be the first European to set foot in North America. Ironically, he is recognized in the same month as Christopher Columbus, who is commonly credited with discovering the Americas. Erikson’s father was Erik the Red, who is thought to have founded a colony on Greenland. It was there that Erikson was a chief, and from there he went to North America.
Columbus Day
The twelfth day of the month is Columbus Day. This is a federal holiday when banks, federal offices, and the post office are closed. There are also parades at various places around the country, most notably in New York City. This is the only federal holiday in the month.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day was first proposed as an alternative to Columbus Day in 1977. It is celebrated the second Monday of October. It was first federally recognized in 2021, though it isn’t a federal holiday. The day is celebrated by many states, though.
October 16: Be Nice to Your Boss
The sixteenth of the month is Boss’s Day. This is an important day for everyone to recognize, because everyone, or nearly everyone, has a boss. This would be a day to give them a present; maybe you should send flowers.
Two States Recognized
There are two American states recognized in this month. The eighteenth of the month (actually celebrated on Monday the 19th) is Alaska Day. This day marks the 1867 transfer of Alaska to the United States. Nevada is recognized on the last Friday in October. This day is a state holiday there.
Get Dressed Up
October 31 is, of course, Halloween. This day is a major cultural tradition when children, mostly, dress up in costumes and go from house to house asking for treats. For this day, you will need to buy candy for the little trick-or-treaters.
Conclusion
There are also several weekly and monthly celebrations. Again, there are too many to list. Examples of weekly observances include National Fire Prevention Week in the United States. This is the week (Sunday – Saturday) containing Oct. 9. In the middle of the month, we have National School Lunch Week. It is also both ADHD and Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
