There are holidays celebrated worldwide everyday, each month I will try to share one or two holidays from different parts of the world. In India October 2, Mahatma Ghandi’s birthday, is a national holiday. I share a quote attributed to him “I cannot teach you violence, as I do not myself believe in it. I can only teach you not to bow your heads before any one even at the cost of your life.” I chose this quote because upon reading it, my first thought was, “Wow, did my mom know Ghandi?” What are you going to do with Southern women, they truly are steel magnolias. See below for additional information about this holiday.

Monthly Events

Down Syndrome Awareness Month. Down syndrome is a genetic condition that causes delays in physical and intellectual development. Down Syndrome Awareness Month emphasizes inclusion in school and community activities, highlighting the talents of people with Down syndrome, and providing opportunities to show how much they have to share. For more information visit http://www.ndss.org/

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. More than 193,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer are diagnosed among women in the United States every year. In 2009, more than 40,000 died from the disease, but there are also about 2.5 million breast cancer survivors living in the U.S. For more information, visit http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/About-NBCF/Events.aspx

National Reading Group Month. Grab some friends and read a book together. For more information visit http://www.nationalreadinggroupmonth.org/

National Vegetarian Awareness Month. You were told to eat your vegetables. Yes, you can have a fulfilling meal without meat, or how about a meatless Monday, every Monday? For more information and great recipes, visit http://www.bellaonline.com/site/vegetarian

National Spinach Lovers Month. It made Popeye strong, and it can keep you healthy. Spinach is extremely rich in antioxidants and is a rich source of vitamin A (and especially high in lutein), vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, and other nutrients. And there’s lots of it: 365,000 tons of spinach are grown in the United States annually.

National Caramel Month. The precise origin of caramel is unknown, but it’s believed that in the early 1880's an American candy maker combined fat and milk with sugar and boiling water, creating the first version of the sweet confection we know today as caramel. Enjoy it all month in moderation, (of course) and after you have eaten your spinach.


Weekly Events

Great Books Week, Oct. 2-8. Many people think of the “great books” as only literary classics, such as the novels of Charles Dickens or Jane Austen, but a great book can be any work that’s shapes your mind, influences your thinking or guides you. Great Books Week is devoted to celebrating and sharing books that have made a difference in everyone’s lives. Remember to read something every day, reading and imagination have no limits.

Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 9-15. From 2005 to 2009, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 373,900 reported home fires per year. These fires caused an estimated average of 2,650 civilian deaths, 12,890 civilian injuries, and $7.1 billion in direct property damage per year. Check your smoke alarms, and make sure you have an emergency evacuation plan. Preparation is survival. For more information visit http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=58557

National Freedom of Speech Week, Oct. 17-23. Exercise and support your right to free speech, the cornerstone of our democracy as guaranteed in the First Amendment and a basic right of people everywhere. For more information visit http://www.freespeechweek.org/

Respiratory Care Week,Oct. 23-29. Take good care of your lungs; you'll live longer and breathe easier. Remember to take care of your lungs, they will take care of you. For more information visit http://www.aarc.org/rcweek/

Daily Events

Gandhi Jayanti, Oct 02. A national holiday in India to celebrate the birthday of Gandhi Jayanti (Mahatma Gandhi) for more information visit http://india.gov.in/spotlight/spotlight_archive.php?id=49

Yom Kippur, Oct. 8. The Day of Atonement, one of the holiest days of the year for the Jewish people, traditionally observed with a 25-hour period of fasting and prayer. For more information visit http://www.bellaonline.com/site/Judaism

Columbus Day, Oct. 10 (observed). Celebrating Christopher Columbus’ first voyage to the New World in 1492.

Navy Birthday,Oct. 13. The Continental Congress established the Continental Navy on Oct. 13, 1775, authorizing the procurement, fitting out, manning, and dispatch of two armed vessels to search for ships supplying the British Army in North America. For more information visit http://www.history.navy.mil/birthday.htm

National Boss's Day Oct. 16. Originated 1958 by Patricia Bays Haroski, a Deerfield Illinois secretary. This day is observed in the US and several countries to celebrate and thank those bosses we appreciate.

Halloween, Oct. 31. Trick or treat! Little ghosts, goblins, and princesses will head out to fill their bags with candy and their hearts with fun and laughter. Enjoy, but be careful and be safe.