Unique Holidays: November 5th, 2022

The Mommies Reviews

I would like to welcome you to our series featuring Unique Holidays: November 5th, 2022. Would you take a look at the Holidays being celebrated today and let me know which Holiday you most want to celebrate and why. As for me I will be celebrating Book Lovers Day.

Book Lovers Day – first Saturday of the month or August 9th

Book Lovers Day encourages us to find a place in the shade to relax with a good book.

Did you know book reading is a great hobby and it’s an important hobby, too. Employers look for reading on resumes. Reading is educational, informative, and relaxing and reading makes us both smarter, and happier people.

Book Lovers Day is a great day to celebrate. Grab an interesting book, find a quiet, cozy place, and crack open the cover. Celebrating Book Lovers Day in August is pleasurable on the deck, under a shady tree, poolside, or in a cozy hammock. If you fall asleep while reading, that’s okay. It’s all part of the relaxing benefits of being a book lover.  

The History and Origin of Book Lovers Day:

Our research did not find the creator, or the origin of Book Lovers Day.

There is some disagreement over when Book Lovers Day is celebrated. The vast majority of sites list Book Lovers Day on August 9th. A smaller number of sites have Book Lovers Day recorded on the first Saturday in November. If you are a true book lover, you will enjoy celebrating Book Lovers Day on both days.

Localized organizations and groups have declared “Book Lover” days on various other dates.

Gunpowder Day

Did you know Guy Fawkes Day and Gunpowder Day are one and the same. This November 5th holiday commemorates the infamous Gunpowder Conspiracy of 1605 in England. The Gunpowder Conspiracy was led by, Guy Fawkes.

Are we celebrating Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators, for attempting to eliminate Religious persecution? Or, are we celebrating the government’s successful discovery of the plot, saving many lives?  Its your choice to make the call.   

The Roots of Gunpowder Day or Guy Fawkes Day

In 1603, King James I took the throne in England. An avid Protestant, he began persecuting Catholics in the Country.  King James forbid Catholics from practicing their Religion, and punished Catholics who did not convert to the Protestant Church.

The Gunpowder Conspirators were a group of Catholics who sought to take action against the King. They plotted to blow up the British Houses of Parliament. They planned to do so when the King and his supporters were in the buildings. Their plot was uncovered on November 5th, 1605. Thirty-six barrels of gunpowder were found in the basement of Parliament. Guy Fawkes, the leader of the conspiracy, was arrested and tortured until he confessed. King James was arrested just as he was about to ignite the gunpowder.

How to Celebrate Gunpowder Day

How do people in England celebrate Gunpowder Day? They do so, with fireworks and bonfires. You can do so, too.

Use this holiday to learn more about Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Conspiracy.

History and Origin of Gunpowder Day

We know the origin of the cause for this Holiday but we do not know when Gunpowder Day began to be celebrated. It likely began in the 1600s.

Gunpowder Day lends proof to the theory that notoriety results in recognition.

Guy Fawkes Day– always observed on November 5th

I wanted to remind you Guy Fawkes Day and Gunpowder Day are one and the same. This November 5th holiday commemorates the infamous Gunpowder Conspiracy of 1605 in England. Led by, Guy Fawkes.

Should we celebrate Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators, for attempting to eliminate Religious persecution? Or, are we celebrating the government’s successful discovery of the plot, saving many lives?

The Roots of Gunpowder Day or Guy Fawkes Day

In 1603, King James I took the throne in England. An avid Protestant, King James began persecuting Catholics in the Country. King James forbid Catholics from practicing their Religion, and punished Catholics who did not convert to the Protestant Church.

The Gunpowder Conspirators were a group of Catholics who sought to take action against the King. They plotted to blow up the British Houses of Parliament. They planned to do so when the King and his supporters were in the buildings. Their plot was uncovered on November 5th, 1605. Thirty-six barrels of gunpowder were found in the basement of Parliament. Guy Fawkes, the leader of the conspiracy, and was arrested and tortured until he confessed. Guy Fawkes was arrested just as he was about to ignite the gunpowder.

How to Celebrate Gunpowder Day

How do people in England celebrate Gunpowder Day? They do so, with fireworks and bonfires. You can do so, too.

You should use Gunpowder Day to learn more about Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Conspiracy.

History and Origin of Gunpowder Day

We know the origin of the cause for Gunpowder Day. We do not know when Gunpowder Day began to be celebrated but it likely began in the 1600s.

Gunpowder Day lends proof to the theory that notoriety results in recognition.

National Bison Day – the first Saturday in November

What’s the biggest Mammal in North America? It’s the fascinating American Bison. Also called American Buffalo, these Buffalo can weigh up to 1,000 pounds. We celebrate Buffalo today on  National Bison Day. Celebrate the biggest Mammal in North America.

Why all the attention to the American Bison? Before Americans pushed across the Western frontier, an estimated 30-60 million Buffalos roamed the Plains and Prairies Native Americans relied on the Buffalo for food, clothing, tools, and more. In the 1800s, Buffalo were hunted almost to extinction. Today, there is only an estimated 10,000 Bison in 17 herds remaining in the U.S. Bison can be found in 11 Western U.S. States and Alaska. Bison also exist in Canada.

Improve your knowledge of Buffalo with American Bison Trivia.

  • Bison originated in Southeast Asia during the Early Pleistocene Period, about 2.5-2.6 million years ago.
  • 30 to 60 million Bison once roamed the U.S. West Plains and Prairies.
  • Did you know a baby Bison is called a “red Dog”.
  • There are 17 herds, totaling about 10,000 Bison remaining in the wild.
  • Bison have poor eyesight, but an excellent sense of hearing and smell.
  • Yellowstone Park is the only place in the U.S. where Bison have lived continuously since pre-historic times.
  • Bison are fast and can run up to 35 mph.
  • Bison live up to 20 years.

How to Celebrate National American Bison Day

How you can participate in American Bison Day?

  • Learning more about the American Bison is a great way to start. Public libraries abound with images and information. Spend time immersing yourself in these Bison resources.
  • Second, learn how to protect and preserve the shrinking Bison habitat. There are only a few of these protected Animals left in the wild. The health and safety of each one are vital so your kids and grandkids will be able to enjoy Bison.
  • Make an effort to support any Bison protection legislation that may come up.
  • You can also make plans to visit a Buffalo Nature Preserve were tours are available.

History and Origin of National American Bison Day

Every year since 2012, the U.S. Senate has passed a resolution declaring National Bison Day on the first Saturday of November.

On May 9, 2012, President Barak Obama signed the National Bison Legacy Act, making the American Bison the National Mammal of the U.S.

Pumpkin Destruction Day – observed on the second Saturday in November

Pumpkin Destruction Day comes along at just the right time because Halloween is over. It is time to dispose of leftover Pumpkins. Why not have a little fun while doing so.? First of all, farms, garden centers and many other stores usually have plenty of unsold Pumpkins. Secondly, you and I likely have carved and uncarved Pumpkins. We need to dispose of them in some manner. However, your uncarved Pumpkins can be kept for Thanksgiving decorations.

The objective of Pumpkin Destruction Day is to have a little fun while destroying leftover Pumpkins. Once the Pumpkins have been smashed, dropped from a sufficient height, jumped on, or otherwise obliterated, it is important to put the remains into your compost pile or a composting facility. A big part of the reason for Pumpkin Destruction Day is to keep millions of Pumpkins out of landfills.

As your smashing Pumpkins you should listen to music from the Smashing Pumpkins.

How to Celebrate Pumpkin Destruction Day

Today is all about having fun with Pumpkins as you destroy them. Use your imagination. Make up a game or other fun way to destroy the Pumpkins. There’s an almost unlimited number of ways to destroy Pumpkins.

Here are a few ideas:

  • Smash Pumpkins with a hammer.
  • Make a game of who can hit the Pumpkin with a rock from a distance.
  • Simply slice Pumpkin into pieces.
  • Toss Pumpkins down from the top of a ladder or tall building.
  • Use Pumpkins as target practice for a rifle. 

Regardless of what method you use to secure Pumpkins demise, the final step is to compost Pumpkins. Don’t put Pumpkins into the landfill.

Alternatives to Smashing Pumpkins

If you’re not into smashing Pumpkins, they can be left out in some areas to feed Wildlife. A wide range of Animals eat Pumpkins, including Deer. If you’re in a rural setting, it is fun to place Pumpkins near the edge of the woods and watch the Deer feed upon them.

Donate Pumpkins to Zoos because some of the Animals eat Pumpkins.

All Pumpkins are edible. There’s an almost unlimited number of recipes for cooking and baking Pumpkins. 

History and Origin of Pumpkin Destruction Day

Adam Pugh, the General Manager of Rock Ranch in The Rock, Georgia created Pumpkin Destruction Day in 2006. Pugh asked the ranch owners for permission for people to “smash the leftover Pumpkins for fun”. The smashed Pumpkins would be left in the field to rot as compost, thus avoiding putting Pumpkins needlessly into landfills. Rock Ranch is a 1,500-acre ranch created by Chick-fill-A founder S. Truett Cathy as a foster home for kids. Pugh was given permission for this event, which was a huge success.

The holiday originated as “Pumpkin Destruction Day” and is also listed in the 2020 Chase Calendar of Events as “Pumpkin Destruction Day”, with reference to Adam Pugh, the creator. Some internet sites incorrectly refer to it as “National Pumpkin Destruction Day”.

We found no congressional records or presidential proclamation creating Pumpkin Destruction Day as a true national holiday.

Definition of “National” Days

There are also several internet references to “Pumpkin Destruction Day” or “Pumpkin Smashing Day” sponsored by individual local greenhouses or Pumpkin farms. These local events are generally held a week shortly after Halloween.  

Thank you,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates