Folk, Fact and Sayings about October
Black History Month
Black History Month (BHM) is an annual awareness campaign to highlight African
and Caribbean history and heritage, and to promote a greater understanding of
the UK's diverse cultural heritage. Throughout October, communities across the
UK celebrate by hosting a wide range of events and activities to entertain,
inform and educate.
Read more about Black History Month
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Through the Month, Breast Cancer Care aims to inform people about breast cancer and teach all women to become breast aware.
International Walk to School month
International School Libraries Month
Highlights the importance of school libraries in the education of our children.
World Blindness Awareness Month
1 - 31 October The Big Draw
The Big Draw, part of the Campaign for Drawing, happens in October in many different places all over the UK. Throughout October there are drawing events and activities in museums and galleries, in libraries and shopping centres, in castles and country houses, on nature reserves and in schools. (Big Draw ideas for schools)
4 October - World Animal Day
UK animal welfare groups, sanctuaries and individuals will hold special events to heighten public awareness of animal issues and to encourage people to think about how we relate to animals.
Same day every year.
4 - 10 October - World Space Week
It is an international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition. The United Nations General Assembly declared in 1999 that World Space Week will be held each year from 4-10 October.
These dates commemorate two events:
- 4 October 1957 -- Launch of the first human-made Earth satellite, Sputnik 1, thus opening the way for space exploration
- 10 October 1967 – The signing of the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activites of States in the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies.
3 October - World Architecture Day
Celebrated each year on the first Monday of October in conjunction with World Habitat Day.
3 October - World Habitat Day
Every year, since 1985, when it was designated by the General Assembly, World Habitat Day has been celebrated on the first Monday in October. This day has been set aside by the United Nations for the world to reflect on the state of human settlements and the basic right to adequate shelter and to remind the world of its collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat.
7 October - Jeans for Genes
Everyone across the UK is being urged to 'denimstrate' they care this Jeans for Genes Day and help raise funds for sick children.
7 October - National Poetry Day
7 October 2010 - World Smile Day
Every year, on the first Friday in October we celebrate Smiley, his message of goodwill, and World Smile Day®.
9 October World Post Day
World Post Day is observed on 9 October every year to mark the anniversary of the founding of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) on October 9th, 1874. Postal services in all countries provide the primary means of communication for people, organisations and business. The goal is to ensure a universal postal service that is easily accessible, efficient and affordable.
8 October - World Hospice and Palliative Care Day
9 - 15 October - National Curry Week
10 October World Mental Health Day
The Mental Health Foundation celebrates World Mental Health Day each year on 10 October, using it as an opportunity to communicate with the general public about mental health issues.
9 October - Seed Gathering Sunday
The Tree Council has designated the second Sunday in October as a special Seed Gathering Day to collect seeds for growing into the new trees of the future.
10 – 14 October - Humphrey’s Pyjama Week
The Children's Trust & popular pre-school brand Humphrey’s Corner, are hoping over 40,000 children will join in Humphrey's Pyjama Week and wear their pyjamas to nursery, pre-school or school!
12 October - World Arthritis Day
On World Arthritis Day, people with arthritis from around the world join together to make their voices heard and raise awareness of arthritis.
12 October - International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction
Celebrated annually on the second Wednesday of October as vehicle to promote a global culture of natural disaster reduction, including disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness.
13 October - World Sight Day
Held on the second Thursday of October each year, the event focuses attention on the problem of global blindness.
16 October - World Food Day
World Food Day is celebrated every year on 16 October to commemorate the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in 1945. The world produces enough food for
everyone. Yet every 5 seconds a child dies of hunger or malnutrition and over
800 million people go to bed hungry.
17 October Child Poverty Day
Support ActionAid’s Child Poverty Day and be part of the UK’s biggest celebration of childhood to help end Child poverty.
17 - 23October National Parents' Week
17 - 23 October National Baking Week TBC
17 - 23 October Energy Saving Week
21 October - Apple Day
An annual celebration of the huge variety of apples grown in Britain and the richness and importance of traditional orchards.
21 October - Trafalgar Day
Trafalgar Day is the celebration of the victory won by Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson's British fleet over the combined French and Spanish fleets at the Battle of Trafalgar on October 21, 1805.
22 October - International Stammering Awareness Day
International Stammering Awareness Day (ISAD) happens on 22nd October every year to raise awareness of stuttering.
24 October - United Nations Day
Marking the anniversary of the founding of the United Nations on 24 October 1945.
21 October - Everyone Writes Day
Plan to collapse the curriculum for the day to get the whole school excited about writing.
30 October - British Summer Time ends (Clocks go back one hour)
30 October - National Sleep-In Day
The day the clocks go back and we all get to spend an extra hour in bed.
31 October - Halloween