November 7: October Revolution Day

Russia was changed forever in 1917 when the Czar Nicholas II of Russia was overthrown by the Bolshevik Party, led by one Vladimir Lenin. Shortly after seizing control, the party signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany in 1918, which ended the war for them.

War was not completely over, however, and civil war began between the Red (Bloshevik) and White (anti-Bolshevik) factions in Russia, which paved the way for the future USSR. Peasants took back land, and it marked the end of feudalism in Russia. Lenin became the leader of the first ever Marxist state, and it established itself in 1922 after defeating the White Army in 1920. Since the fall of the USSR, this holiday has largely fallen out of practice, but it is not completely gone. In it's place has come National Unity Day, or Consolidation day, which people celebrate on November 3/4. On National Unity Day, thousands of Russian Nationalists parade the streets in "Russian Marches", and leaders in Russia come together to make speeches and celebrate.

November 4: Day of Ashura

The Day of Ashura, as celebrated by Muslims, is a voluntary day of fasting that marks the day Noah left the Ark, the time when the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt, and the death of Imam Hussein, who is known as the grandson of Prophet Muhammad. The day is widely regarded as one of fasting for remembrance and prayer for forgiveness, but some take it in a different context. Shi'a Muslims see this day as a remembrance of Hussein, who was killed in 680 AD in a battle against the Caliph in what is now Iraq. Some groups gather throughout towns and parade whilst whipping themselves or reenacting battle, showing their remembrance of his martyrdom.
 In less violent cases, black is worn and people mourn and pray to pay their respects.

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November 1: Samhain

Ending Halloween leads right into our next holiday: Samhain. This holiday, of Gaelic origin, celebrates the halfway point between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice. It is one of the four season festivals, and accompanies Imbolc, Beltane, and Lughnasadh. Samhain is observed mainly in Ireland, but has spread into Scotland and Wales.

Samhain is seen as particularly special because it is believed to be the time in which it is easier for spirits and fairies to travel to Earth and have interaction with humans. According to Irish myth, Samhain was the time when the door to the Otherworld was the most open, and allowed the dead to be in closer connection with the living. Bonfires, dances, feasts, and alter construction are common practices on this holiday. It is largely celebrated by Pagans and Wicca.

October 31: Halloween

Halloween, Allhalloween, or All Hallows Eve are all acceptable names for this holiday. A Western, Christian precursor to All Saints Day, this holiday has transformed beyond a day of reverence for the dead and has moved toward a celebration of other aspects of life. It fits in with the original intent of Allhallowtide, which revolves around the theme of using humor and ridicule to confront the power of death, but has moved beyond that. Today, Halloween is characterized by dressing up, trick-or-treating, carving pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns, attending parties and haunted houses, and watching horror films or reading scary stories.

In many parts of the world, religious observance of All Hallow's Eve includes attending services and lighting candles on the graves of the dead. Many of the modern customs, like wearing costumes, may be attributed to past practices like "souling," in which criers dressed in black paraded the streets, ringing bells of mournful sounds and calling on people to remember lost souls. Superstition is also somewhat present on this day, and black cats and witches have become some of the symbols of Halloween festivities.   

October 29: Boun Ok Phansa

Boun Ok Phansa is the end of Buddhist Lent, in which Buddhist monks and priests retreat during the rainy season and reemerge on this day. Candles lit on Khaon Pansa, which is characterized by a candle festival and offering time to Buddhist monks, will have burned through the rainy season. These show a physical illumination of the temple and a mental illumination of the mind. After these 3 months, young priests and monks are free to return home to celebrations and merriment in the form of Boun Ok Phansa. Rice offerings are given to the monks when they return, and banana leaf floats are set along the Mekong River in celebration of their return.

A boat racing festival follows, and people line the river to watch and cheer on the boats. It is a time of music and dancing, celebrations with copious amounts of food.

October 23: Diwali

Diwali is the largest festival in India, as it is celebrated across faiths (Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs) and has been declared a national holiday. Known the world over as "the festival of lights," Diwali is not only celebrated in India, though India does provide the largest celebration. It originated as a harvest festival that marked the final harvest before winter. Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, is worshiped as people hope for financial success in the new year (Diwali marks the first day of the new financial year). Festivities include family gatherings, the lighting of clay lamps called diyas,

fireworks, electric light strings across houses and other buildings, bonfires, decorations of flowers, and the sharing of sweets, as well as the worship of Lakshmi. Some believe that the clay lamps usher Lakshmi into their homes as she roams the Earth, while others say the light is more symbolic of light triumphing over darkness. Dhanteras, the first night, is characterized by cleaning and decorating, as well as massive shopping.

It is followed by Naraka Chaturdasi, which includes more decorating and food preparation. Lakshmi Puja contains the most celebration, with new clothing dawned and dijays lit. Padwa is the fourth day, celebrating love between husband and wife, followed by Bhai Duj, which celebrates siblings.

October 20: Nanomonestotse

In the early 1900s, Marion Young, a Native American woman, began passing ideals of peace to her descendants. She is credited in part with the foundation of Nanomonestotse, a celebration both of the coming of autumn and of peace. The word "nanomonestotse" means peace in the Cheyanne language, and the preparation takes place on the third Monday in October. The holiday is celebrated with the construction of miniature Native American villages by children, and introspection and reflection from adults. A celebration meal is served on the Friday following these preparations, and the message of the event is to say:

"Peace in our world

Peace in our village

Peace in our home

Peace in our hearts"