October

October is the tenth month of the Gregorian calendar, the calendar in common international use today. It has 31 days. It follows September and is followed by November.

The name 'October' derives from the Latin word 'octo', meaning eight. This is because the ancient Roman calendar began in March, making October the eighth month. When the calendar was changed and January became the start of the year, the name remained despite the shift in its position.

Climate and seasons

In the Northern Hemisphere, October falls within autumn, when leaves fall from trees and temperatures cool. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is the season of spring at the same time. In Somalia and the Horn of Africa generally, October falls within the Deyr rainy season, which affects agriculture and pastoral livelihoods.

Calendar characteristics

October always begins on the same day of the week as January of the same year (this relationship shifts between regular and leap years). With 31 days, October contains at most five occurrences of the same day of the week when its 31 days are divided into weeks.

Related events

Many countries mark national commemorations and international observances in October. For example, 24 October is observed as United Nations Day, commemorating the founding of the United Nations in 1945.