EAST REJOINS WEST: UNITY DAY IN GERMANY Unity Day (or Tag der Deutschen Einheit) is a momentous occasion in Germany, celebrated annually on October 3rd. The day marks the reunification of East and West Germany in 1990, a historic event that followed the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. This significant milestone brought an end to nearly four decades of division between the two German states, symbolizing the triumph of democracy and the dawn of a new era in German history. Unity Day is not just a day of celebration, but also a day of profound reflection. It commemorates the peaceful reunification of Germany after the Cold War, a testament to the successful efforts to unite a nation that had been politically, economically, and socially divided since the end of World War II. It serves as a powerful reminder of the pivotal role of freedom, democracy, and unity in shaping Germany's future. Official ceremonies, public celebrations, and cultural events across Germany mark the day. The main national celebration, held in a different city each year, features speeches by political leaders, concerts, and fireworks. It is also a day for citizens to reflect on the values of democracy and the progress made in overcoming the legacies of division. HISTORICAL CONTEXT ON CURRENT AFFAIRS The history of German reunification continues to shape the country’s politics, society, and identity. The division of Germany after World War II into the capitalist West (Federal Republic of Germany) and the communist East (German Democratic Republic) created two distinct societies with different political systems, economies, and cultures. The fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, became the pivotal moment that led to the reunification process, formally completed on October 3, 1990. The reunification of Germany was challenging. The economic disparities between the East and West, known as the "Mauer im Kopf" (wall in the mind), persisted long after the physical wall came down. While significant progress has been made in closing these gaps, the lingering effects of division are still evident in some aspects of German life. Economic and social differences between the former East and West continue to influence political dynamics, voter behavior, and discussions around national identity. In current affairs, the legacy of reunification is involved in debates over regional disparities, social cohesion, and the integration of immigrants. Reunification's experiences have also informed Germany’s approach to European integration and its role in international diplomacy, particularly in advocating for peace and unity in a divided Europe. Unity Day is a poignant reminder of Germany's journey from division to reunification. It underscores the ongoing efforts to build a united and inclusive society, emphasizing the importance of overcoming historical divides to forge a common national identity and contribute positively to global peace and stability.

Africa

Oct

Walk To School Month, Intl.: October

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TAKING IT TO THE STREETS: INTERNATIONAL WALK TO SCHOOL MONTH International Walk to School Month is a global initiative that encourages children, parents, and communities to embrace walking as a healthy, safe, and environmentally friendly mode of transportation to school. Organizations such as the Partnership for a Walkable America, the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center, the UK-based charity Living Streets, and various local governments and schools worldwide support the event. The primary goal of International Walk to School Month is to enhance the physical and mental well-being of children, alleviate traffic congestion and pollution around schools, and underscore the importance of creating safe, walkable environments in communities. Families play a crucial role in this initiative by making walking to school a regular habit, thereby fostering a more active lifestyle for children and reducing their carbon footprint. Throughout October, schools and communities worldwide demonstrate their commitment to promoting health and environmental awareness by organizing walking events, safety workshops, and awareness campaigns. These activities not only encourage healthy habits but also help to build a sense of community and responsibility toward the environment. International Walk to School Month reminds us of the importance of active transportation and its role in promoting healthier, safer, and more sustainable communities.

Africa

Oct

Wolf Awareness Week, Intl: October 20-26

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WOLF AWARENESS WEEK:

ADVOCATING FOR NATURE'S MOST INTERESTING CANINE

Wolf Awareness Week is an annual event dedicated to celebrating and promoting the conservation of wolves. Held in October, this week aims to educate the public about the role of wolves in the ecosystem and the challenges they face for survival.

Initiated by wolf advocates and conservation organizations in the United States, Wolf Awareness Week seeks to dispel myths about wolves and highlight the scientific efforts to help their populations thrive. Various wildlife organizations, zoos, and educational institutions come together during this week to hold informational sessions, workshops, and wildlife tours.

DIVERSITY OF WOLF SPECIES

Globally, there are two main species of wolves: the gray wolf (Canis lupus) and the red wolf (Canis rufus), each with several subspecies. The gray wolf subspecies are spread across North America, Eurasia, and parts of Africa, while the red wolf is primarily located in the southeastern United States. Each subspecies adapts to its specific habitat, showcasing variations in size, behavior, and diet.

Wolves are found in a variety of habitats, including tundras, woodlands, forests, grasslands, and deserts. They play a crucial role in maintaining the health of these ecosystems by managing the populations of other species and thus helping to keep a balanced food chain. As apex predators, wolves help control the numbers of smaller predators and herbivores, which in turn influences vegetation patterns and biodiversity.

During Wolf Awareness Week, participants engage in activities such as guided wildlife tours to observe wolves in their natural habitats, educational programs that discuss wolf behavior and conservation strategies, and advocacy efforts to promote policies that protect wolf populations. Social media campaigns also play a significant role in spreading awareness and rallying support for wolf conservation.

PARTICIPATION

The main objectives of Wolf Awareness Week are to foster a greater understanding of wolves and their ecological benefits, correct misconceptions that lead to their persecution, and encourage support for conservation measures that protect their natural habitats. The event underscores the importance of preserving these magnificent creatures to ensure the stability and diversity of ecosystems where they play a pivotal role.

By participating in Wolf Awareness Week, individuals can contribute to a broader conservation effort that recognizes the intrinsic value of all wildlife, including predators like wolves, in maintaining the health of our planet.

Africa

Oct

Columbus Day (BZ)(1492): October 12

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Columbus Day / Discovery Day / Friendship Day / Día de la Hispanidad / Día de la Raza / Native Americans' Day / Discovers' Day Locations: Belize, Mexico, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Spain, South Dakota & Hawaii, United States All of these events mark a historical anniversary. The celebration, however, originated with President Benjamin Harrison in 1892. You see, Harrison had a problem. In 1891, rioters in New Orleans killed 11 Italian immigrants, three of whom still held Italian citizenship. Even then, uniquely American hypocrisy reigned. Citizens hated immigrants, despite nearly every American descending from or being an immigrant. Six Italians were accused of murder in March of that year. By the next day, rumors whipped through the Big Easy, and a mob stormed the jail. The rioters murdered 11 Italians as retribution. The shootings and lynchings caused a political nightmare for the Harrison Administration with the Italian government, and Harrison was up for re-election. Italy recalled its officials, and American officials vacated Rome. Threats of war were traded, and nobody was happy. Since the mid-nineteenth century, Italians choosing US citizenship had become a significant voting block in the United States. Harrison needed their vote, and paying restitution to the Italian government produced ridicule rather than results. An idea formed. It was the 400th anniversary of Columbus' landing in the Americas. Columbus was Italian, and many large spectaculars were already planned. Why not make Columbus Day an official federal holiday for the year 1892? That worked. Diplomats returned to their posts, war was averted, and Italians celebrated in the Americas. Columbus Day became an official annual holiday in the United States by a joint Congressional/Presidential resolution on April 30, 1934, with modification in 1968 (36 USC 107) to the second Monday of October. Columbus Day commemorates the events of October 11-15, 1492, when Christopher Columbus and his crew first sighted land. Landfall occurred on October 12, 1492; he thought he had found a way to India. Instead, Columbus discovered the Bahamas, and it would take time for him to realize it was an entirely new continent. Columbus Day, on October 12, is a national holiday in Belize, and the Bahamas refer to it as Discovery Day. In Spain, it is called Día de la Hispanidad, or Hispanity Day. In the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, it is called Friendship Day, and Mexico refers to the anniversary as Día de la Raza, or Day of Race. The United States also marks the anniversary with Native American Day and the state of Hawaii with Discovers' Day. FIRST EUROPEANS Most Americans believe that Columbus was the first European to discover America. He was the first to find the islands of the Caribbean, but not mainland North America. The first European to land on American soil was Leif Eriksson, a Viking, on October 9, 1000 AD. But first, he saw it a year before when his ship was blown off course leaving Iceland. In 999 AD, he did not land. He called the new land Helluland (Stone Slab Land). The following year, he returned, sailing south, and eventually set up camp in what we refer to as present-day Newfoundland, which he called Vinland since it was bursting with spectacular wine grapes. Archeologists in the 1960s uncovered the original camp in modern L'Anse aux Meadows, a UNESCO world heritage site today. Eriksson wasn't the first European to see America. That honor falls to another Viking, Bjarni Herjolfsson. Herjolfsson saw a land covered in trees in 986 AD. He was trying to get to Greenland with his father, Erik the Red. He missed it. However, Herjolfsson did not set foot on American soil; that would have to wait another 13 years. On October 9, 1825, the first group of immigrants from Norway arrived in the United States. In 1964 President Lyndon Johnson proclaimed October 9 as Leif Eriksson Day. CONTROVERSY OVER COLUMBUS Columbus Day has become controversial in the United States because his discovery also led to the genocide of Native Americans, who lost 90% of their people over the next 400 years due to illness, enforced poverty, land theft, discrimination, and wars. That Columbus initiated colonialism through his discovery, which led to slavery and the disenfranchisement of Native Americans, is another reason several groups do not want the day or the explorer remembered. However, Columbus Day is significant to Italian Americans, who view the explorer with great pride. An Italian, he sailed to America under the patronage of the Spanish King and Queen. As far as I can tell, Alabama, in 2000, was the first state to change Columbus Day to American Indian Day in honor of America's indigenous people. By 2020, the Black Lives Matter movement, Native American organizations, and other social justice movements continued to call into question Columbus' legacy and advocate for the abolition of the holiday. In 2021, after a rise of activism to recognize indigenous people in the United States rather than their colonizers, President Biden proclaimed the first-ever National Indigenous Peoples' Day in place of Columbus Day.

Africa

Oct

Columbus Day (US)(1492): October 14

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Columbus Day is also called Indigenous Peoples Day in the United States. Columbus Day was an official holiday in the United States, created by a joint Congressional/Presidential resolution on April 30, 1934, and modified in 1968 (36 USC 107). It was always the second Monday of October. The day commemorates the events of October 11-15, 1492, when Christopher Columbus and his crew first sighted land. Landfall occurred on October 12, 1492; he thought he had found a way to India. He found the Bahamas. It would take time for him to realize he had found an entirely new continent. Columbus Day, on October 12, is a national holiday in Belize. The Bahamas refer to it as Discovery Day. In Spain, it is called Día de la Hispanidad. In the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, it is called Friendship Day. Mexico refers to the anniversary as Día de la Raza, or Day of Race. The United States also marks the anniversary with Native American Day and the state of Hawaii with Discovers' Day. FIRST EUROPEANS Most Americans believe that Columbus was the first European to discover America. No. He's the first to find the islands of the Caribbean, but not mainland North America. The first European to land on American soil was Leif Eriksson, a Viking, on October 9, 1000 AD. He called the new land Helluland (Stone Slab Land). Eriksson spotted it a year before when his ship was blown off course leaving Iceland but did not land. The following year, he returned sailing south and eventually set up camp in what we refer to as present-day Newfoundland, which he called Vinland since it was bursting with good wine grapes. Archeologists in the 1960s uncovered the original camp in modern L'Anse aux Meadows, a UNESCO world heritage site today. In 1964 President Lyndon Johnson proclaimed October 9 as Leif Eriksson Day. On October 9, 1825, the first group of immigrants from Norway arrived in the United States. Eriksson wasn't the first European to see America. That honor falls to another Viking, Bjarni Herjolfsson. Herjolfsson saw a land covered in trees in 986 AD. He was trying to get to Greenland with his father, Erik the Red. He missed it. However, Herjolfsson did not set foot on American soil; that would have to wait another 13 years. CONTROVERSY OVER COLUMBUS Columbus Day has become controversial in the United States because his discovery also led to the genocide of Native Americans, who lost 90% of their people over the next 400 years due to illness, enforced poverty, land theft, discrimination, and wars. That Columbus initiated colonialism, which led to slavery and the disenfranchisement of Native Americans, is another reason several groups do not want the day remembered. However, Columbus Day is significant to Italian Americans, who view the explorer with great pride. An Italian, he sailed to America under the patronage of the Spanish King and Queen. The Black Lives Matter movement, Native American organizations, and other social justice movements continue to call into question Columbus' legacy and advocate for the abolition of the holiday. As near as I can tell, the state of Alabama was the first state to change its name to honor America's indigenous people. In 2021, after a rise of activism to recognize indigenous people in the United States rather than their colonizers, President Biden proclaimed the first-ever National Indigenous Peoples' Day instead of Columbus Day.

Africa

Oct

Come and Take it Day (1835): October 2*

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The first of two "Come & Take It" days, today's date marks the anniversary of the Battle of Gonzales, the first battle of the Texan Revolution on October 2, 1835. The flag flown by the settlers beheld a cannon with the words "Come and Take It" below as a challenge to the Mexican army. Ironically, the cannon was given to the settlers by the Mexican government in 1831. Come and Take It! has come to epitomize American chutzpah and dogged defiance. The 2nd "Come and Take It Day!" is also an anniversary commemorating an event in 1778. The phrase "Come and Take It!" was first used in 480 BC in the Battle of Thermopylae by King Leonidas of Sparta against the Persians.

Africa

Oct

Coming Out Day, Intl., (1987): October 11

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International Coming Out Day is an LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, and Queer) community initiative to provide a safe day for LGBTQ+ persons to embrace their inner selves. When an LGBTQ+ person goes public with their sexuality, it is referred to as "Coming Out." It's an act that used to be very personal and often difficult; however, public declarations are celebrated in earnest by the LGBTQ+ community, and social media is filled with declarations on this day. Religious teachings in the Abrahamic faiths are against the lifestyle. Many feel shunned by their friends and family or targeted for declaring they are homosexual, bisexual, or any of the other 50+ iterations earning banners in the past 15 years. Coming Out Day provides instant acceptance, affirmation, and community access, to those outing, regardless of the opinions rendered on their decision. October 11, 1987, saw the first national march on Washington for lesbian and gay rights. The following year, 1988, October 11 became the official International Coming Out Day.

Africa

Oct

Communion Sunday, World (C): October 6

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World Communion Sunday celebrates the Christian tradition of taking the sacrament. Holy Communion is the taking of the body and the blood of Christ represented as bread and wine. The ritual remembers the teachings of Jesus Christ and the new covenant established with humanity through Him. Communion Sunday encourages all Christian denominations to celebrate it on this day. Proceeds from the day go to support scholarship programs in poor communities.

Africa

Oct

Computer Learning Month: October

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Promoted by the National Science Teachers Association and supported by several high-tech companies, National Computer Learning Month promotes computer education and computer literacy regardless of age, income, or sex. Computer literacy is essential to today’s workforce. Even the most menial of jobs often require computer skills. This month is about filling the gaps, helping those unable to access training, and improving overall computer literacy.

Africa

Oct

Contact Lens Safety Month: October

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Over 40 million Americans wear contact lenses. Contact Lens Safety Month helps people who wear contacts avoid injury and infection by teaching them how to properly clean and care for their contact lenses. Annually in October.

Africa

Oct

Cookbook Launch Day: October 12

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National Cookbook Launch Day is timed to get any new cookbooks on the shelves before the holiday rush. Cookbooks are a popular gift to get and give. In addition to launching a book, this is a day to create your family cookbook by collecting recipes from friends and family, compiling them, and binding them. Tools exist today that make digital publishing of your family’s recipes in a paperback form more accessible than ever, Use this day to launch your cookbook or begin creating a legacy for your family of recipes for generations to come.

Africa

Oct

Cookie Month: October

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How many foods have their monsters? Not many, right? Well, cookies do, a blue monster that chases after cookies and can’t get enough. Cookies (or biscuits in the United Kingdom) have existed for centuries. This sweet treat originates in Greece with syrup, honey, and other sweeteners used before the discovery and importation of sugar. Celebrate National Cookie Month with cookies! Lots and lots of cookies!

Africa

Oct

Cotton Day, World: October 7

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Cotton, while being a comfortable, hypoallergenic, breathable, and durable fabric, has a global significance beyond just being a commodity. It provides livelihoods to 32 million growers, nearly half of whom are women, and benefits over 100 million families across 80 countries on five continents. Each piece of cotton clothing represents a personal story tracing back through its trade chain. Cotton plays a crucial role in developing and least-developed economies, acting as a safety net. It is a significant source of income and employment for many rural smallholders and laborers, including women, particularly in some of the world's poorest rural areas. The United Nations recognizes these aspects of the cotton industry on World Cotton Day, celebrated annually on October 7th. This day was initiated in 2019 by the Cotton Four - Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Mali, four cotton-producing countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Africa

Oct

Count Your Buttons Day: October 21

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Historically, counting your buttons equated to measuring your wealth. HISTORY OF BUTTONS Buttons originated in the Indus Valley, in what we now refer to as Pakistan, around 3000-2000 BC. The first buttons, made of shell or bone, were ornamental rather than functional, and they adorned garments like beads or broaches do today. Think about the costumes of ancient Rome, Greece, Persia, and even China you see in films. Ancient civilizations used ties, buckles, belts, pins, and thread to hold garments together—no buttons in buttonholes securing garments on those period pieces. I bet you never noticed that before, but now you will! When did we start using buttons to fasten our clothes? In the 11th century. German tailors began using buttons with loops and then sewn holes in the fabric (buttonholes) to secure clothing for aristocrats, a revolutionary advancement in drapery allowing for a customized fit. The new technology and the more figure-flattering styles spread throughout Europe's upper classes, leading to the first Buttonmaker's Guild opening in France in 1250 AD. During the middle ages and into the Renaissance, buttons conveyed wealth. One could tell a person's social class by the number of buttons sewn into clothes and their quality. Most were custom-made, with each button representing a little piece of art formed of precious stones and metals. Less affluent people made buttons using molds and liquid metal or rescued them from discarded garments. Thieves and spies hollowed out buttons to smuggle gems and messages. With the inauguration of George Washington as the first president of the United States, he popularized the use of "political buttons," buttons styled to showcase a person's political party. The standard button of today includes four holes, is flat and round, a mass-produced style beginning in the 1840s. Automation during the industrial age made the production of buttons inexpensive. Why do men's and women's shirts have buttons on different sides? That goes back to the aristocracy. Since buttons were used by the wealthy, and the wealthy had servants and staff, women's buttons face left, so they were easier for the maid or another person to undo or do. Men generally self-dressed, so their buttons are right-facing, making them easier to close and open without assistance.

Africa

Oct

Country Ham Month: October

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Country Ham Month promotes a Sunday dinner favorite, the country ham. Country ham is a specific style of hardwood smoking, salt curing, and lengthy aging of pork hammocks, common to the Southern United States. Smoking is what gives the ham its red color. The term Country Ham originated in 1944. This event originated with the National Country Ham Association (NCHA) in 1999; check your local market for special deals on ham, and enjoy!

Africa