Important Dates and Events in October Month

International and national days are important occasions to raise public awareness. They celebrate and appreciate the achievements of humanity. They are also important from an exam point of view.

Students preparing for exams like UPSC, RRB, SSC, etc. are expected to know about these events. This article focuses on important dates and events in October. All the important details are covered about each day. Here’s the list of Important Events in October Month.

Global Events in October Month

Let us firstly see Global Events in October Month.

1. International Day for the Elderly – 1 October

The UN General Assembly made this day official in 1990 and the first celebration took place in 1991. The idea is to raise awareness about elder abuse and issues that come with aging. This day to appreciate their contribution to society. The theme for 2019 was “The Journey to Age Equality”.

2. International Coffee Day – 1 October

It is an initiative by the International Coffee Organization. The first celebration took place in Milan expo 2015. The idea is to promote coffee as a beverage.

They also encourage fair trade practices and appreciate and respect the coffee growers. This year the main focus of the organization is to raise awareness about the hardship of coffee growers.

3. World vegetarian Day – 1 October

October is the official vegetarian month. World Vegetarian Day is the first day of this month. It is an initiative by the North American Vegetarian Society. The first celebration took place in 1977.

The idea is to promote a vegetarian lifestyle and highlight its advantages. They aim to raise awareness about the negative effects of meat on health and nature.

4. World Custodial Workers Day – 2 October

Custodial workers are responsible for maintaining hygiene at workplaces. This day is to appreciate these workers for their hard work.

5. Smile day – 2 October

Harvey Vall was the creator of the smiling symbol we all use today. Harvey took the initiative to start this day in 1999. The reason was overuse of this symbol which led it away from the original goodwill idea. The main motto of Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation is – “ Enhancing this world, one smile.

6. World Farm Animals Day – 2 October

This day is part of the vegetarian week. It is a campaign by the Farm Animals Rights Movement from 1983. The idea is to discourage the slaughtering of animals for industrial profits. Mahatma Gandhi is an inspiration as he was a supporter of non-violence. He was born on this date only.

7. German Unity Day – 3 October

The German Democratic Republic became part of the Federal Republic Of Germany on 3 October 1990. It is the national day of Germany. It commemorates this event of German Reunification.

8. World Habitat Day – 1 Monday of October

The United Nations made this day official in 1986. The first celebration took place in Kenya. The idea is to highlight the basic right of all to adequate shelter.

They promote activities to examine rapid urbanization and its impact on poverty. The theme for 2020 is “Housing For All: A better Urban Future” and the host nation is Indonesia.

9. World Animal Welfare Day – 4 October

Francis of Assisi was a supporter of animals. His feast falls on 4 October. Heinrich Zimmermann, a cytologist, took the initiative to start this day. The first celebration took place in 1925 march. In 1929, the date moved to October. The idea is to improve animal welfare across the globe.

10. World Teachers Day – 5 October

UNESCO and International Labour Organization Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers was signed on 5 October 1966. It outlines different standards relating to recruitment, education policy, etc.

This day became official in 1994. The idea is to appreciate and improve the educational world. The theme for 2019 was “Young Teachers: The future of the Profession”.

11. German-American Day – 6 October

Germantown came into being on 6 October 1683 in Northwest Philadelphia. This was the first time when 13 German families moved to Philadelphia. Mostly German families live in this area. This day celebrates the German-American heritage.

12. World Post Office Day – 9 October

the Universal Postal Union ( UPU ) came into being on 9 October 1874 in Switzerland. It was the start of Global communication. The UPU Congress in Japan made this day official 1969.

The proposal was by Anand Mohan Narula, an Indian delegate. The idea is to promote and appreciate postal service.

13. World Mental Health Day – 10 October

The World Federation for Mental Health took the initiative to start this day in 1992. WHO is one of the supporters of this campaign. The idea is to promote mental health education and discourage prejudice against it. The theme for 2020 is “Mental Health for All-Greater Investment and Greater Access”.

14. World Sight Day – 2 Thursday of October

Initially it was part of the SightFirstCampaign 2000 by Lions Club International Foundation. Now, The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness organizes this day every year. The idea to raise public awareness about blindness and vision impairment. The theme for 2020 is “Call to Action”.

15. International Girl Child Day – 11 October

The UN made this day official in 2012. Plan International, a NGO took the initiative to start this day as they began working on Because I Am A Girl campaign. The proposal to start this was put forward by Canada in the UN General Assembly.

The idea is to promote gender equality and highlight the issues faced by females. The theme for 2019 was “GirlForce: Unscripted and Unstoppable”.

16. UN International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction – 13 October

The UN General Assembly made this day official in 1989. The 1990s was the decade of International Natural Disaster Reduction. The idea is to encourage disaster management in communities and nations.

They highlight the precaution to reduce the risk and destruction caused by a natural disaster. The theme for 2019 was “Reduce disaster damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services”.

17. World Standards Day – 14 October

On 14 October 1946, 25 delegates from different countries decided to create an organization for facilitating standardization. The International Standardisation Organisation came into being in 1947 but this day became official in 1970.

The idea is to appreciate the efforts put in by standard development organizations. They highlight its importance in the global economy.

18. Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day – 15 October

October 1988 was the month of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness. A Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day Campaign began on 15 October 2002.

A proposal was put forward to introduce this day by 20 American states. This was the first celebration of this day. It became official in 2006 by the House of Representatives.

19. Global Handwashing Day – 15 October

The Global Handwashing Partnership took the initiative to start this day in 2008. The idea is to promote handwashing habits for a healthier lifestyle.

20. World Students Day – 15 October

Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam was born on 15 October 1931. He taught at many colleges with dedication. The UN made his birthday the official date for student’s day because of his contribution to the education of India. It became official in 2010.

21. White Cane Safety Day / Blind Americans Equality Day – 15 October

The joint resolution of the US Congress made this day official in 1964. White cane is the symbol of freedom and independence. It is a tool which helps blind people move freely. This day is to celebrate the achievements of visually impaired people.

22. World Food Day – 16 October

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations came into being on 16 October 1945. This day marks the anniversary of this establishment. The first celebration took place in 1979. The idea is to promote agriculture, food security and fair ethics. The theme for 2019 was “Our Actions Are Our Future”.

23. International Poverty Eradication Day – 17 October

Fr. Joseph Wresinski was the founder of The International Movement ATD Fourth World. He worked on eradicating chronic poverty. The unveiling of a stone to honor the victims of poverty by Joseph Wresinski took place on 17 October 1987 in Paris.

The UN Assembly made this official in 1992 to honor Wresinski and promote upliftment of the weaker section. The theme for 2019 was “Acting Together to Empower Children, their Families, and Communities to End Poverty”.

24. Mole Day – 23 October

This is for chemistry students. A mole is a measurement unit for substance in the International System of Units. 6.02×1023 is the number of particles in a mole of substance. The celebration starts at 6:02 am and ends at 6:02 pm.

And in the American style of writing the date is written as 10/23. Basically, a mole day starts at 6:02 on 10/23 which is the same as the number of particles.

25. UN Day – 24 October

The Charter of the United Nations is the treaty of the United Nations Foundation as an organization. It became official on 24 October 1945. In 1947, The UN Assembly made this day official to mark its foundation.

The idea is to highlight their role in the world’s achievements and gain public support for their work.

26. World Development Information Day – 24 October

The adoption of the Development Strategy for the Second Nations Development Decade took place on 24 October 1970. The UN General Assembly made this day official in 1972. The idea is to highlight developmental problems worldwide. They also promote international cooperation to solve these issues.

27. World Thrift Day / World Savings Day – 30 October

The World Society of Savings Banks took the initiative to start this day in October 1924. The 1st International Savings Bank Congress took place in Milan.

On the last day of congress, World Savings day became official. The idea is to promote saving habits across the world. They highlight the impact of saving on the economy and better lifestyle.

National Events in October

Let us now see National Events in October month:

1. Gandhi Jayanthi – 2 October

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on 2 October 1869. He lived his early life in Porbandar and was a lawyer, activist, and politician. He led India’s independence movement from 1920’s till independence and was the founder of the Quit India movement and the idea of Swaraj ( Self Rule ).

South Africa was the first country to honor him with the term Mahatma. The UN Assembly in 2007 declared Gandhi Jayanti as International Day of Non-Violence. Many countries celebrate this day but it is one of three national holidays of India. It is to honor Gandhiji and his contributions to the country.

2. Indian Air Force Day – 8 October

Indian Air Force came into being on 8 October 1932. Till British Raj, its name was Royal Indian Air Force. This day marks the anniversary of this establishment.

3. National Post Day – 10 October

It is an extension of World post office day. India celebrates this day every year to appreciate 150-year-old postal service in the country. The Indian post came into being in 1854 by Lord Dalhousie. It comes under the ministry of communication.

4. National Solidarity Day – 20 October

The Sino-Indian War took place from 20 October to 21 November 1962. China won this war in Ladakh. This day is to highlight the unity and integrity of India. It is to honor the soldiers who lost their lives.

5. National Unity Day / Rashtriya Ekta Diwas – 31 October

The government of India made this day official in 2014. Sardar Vallabhai Patel was born on 3 October 1875. This day marks his birth anniversary. He was called the Iron Man of India for his freedom movement contribution.

Conclusion

Aspirants should read this article very carefully. Any questions from above can be asked in the exams. The question is direct or indirect. It can be in the form of mcq or a case study. You must know everything.

The difficulty level of the UPSC exam is more than any other exam. Current affairs questions are asked in both prelims and the main exam. This article is informative and less complicated to understand. We hope this helps you prepare better.