Why October Matters - Important Days Around the World

Not only does October 1st mark the beginning of the Q4 fiscal calendar for many businesses worldwide, but it is also
the month of many important holidays around the world.  While, it may not be considered the Holiday Season (that’s usually reserved for December), there are many public holidays and religious occasions around the world that people observe. Mixed with national and independence days, there are also multiple days or weeks of observations that are public, national, regional, and/or simply traditional that are commemorated in October.

Look at the first week of October alone…

• China's National Day - The People's Republic of China (PRC) observes its anniversary on October 1st. In China, the holiday is celebrated for seven days and is considered the 'Golden Week' of holidays.  Major festivities and ceremonies (and in some places demonstrations) are planned for this time period.

• Independence Day – October 1, 1960 is also the official independence day of both Cypress and Nigeria from British rule.

• Eid al-Adha - the Feast of Sacrifice - The most important feast of the Muslim calendar is observed over 3-4 days across the Muslim world, and commemorates Ibraham's (Abraham) willingness to obey God by sacrificing his son. It concludes with a Pilgrimage to Mecca.

• The Dussehra Festival - Over ten days, culminating on the tenth day, the Dussehra holiday in India symbolizes the triumph of good over evil.  The festival traditionally represents the legend of Rama and Ravana. On the ninth day of Dussehra, Ayudha Puja is celebrated in several regions. The objective is to see the divine in everything, especially those things used in one's livelihood. 

• Gandhi Jayanti Day - Celebrated on October 2nd, this day is a national holiday celebrated across India to mark the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, the "Father of the Nation". 

• 'Tag der Deutschen Einheit' - German Unification Day - The reunification of Germany took place on October 3, 1990, when the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) was incorporated into the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG). The Day of German Unity is celebrated each year with ceremonies and a citizens' festival (Bürgerfest).  Various celebrations are held in Berlin; incidentally, the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, which traditionally runs until the first Sunday in October, will run until the 3rd if the Sunday falls on the first or second day of October. 

• Yom Kippur - the Jewish day of repentance is considered to be the holiest and most solemn day of the year. Its central theme is atonement and reconciliation. Yom Kippur completes the penitential period of ten days that begins with New-Year's Day.

• Father’s Day in Luxembourg - 1st Sunday in October, while not a public holiday in Luxembourg, this is a very special day for many families. 

• Labour Day in Australia – Labour Day is a public holiday in Australia that was originally called 'Eight Hours Day'.  The first Labour Day parade was held in Melbourne on 21st April 1856. Labour Day is celebrated on different days across Australia because each state achieved the 8-hour day on different dates. It is the first Monday in October in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland. 

And these are just a few of the world’s holidays during the first week of October alone! 

 Happy October!

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