Welcome to our series featuring Unique Holidays: November 1st 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 bad as my head is hurting today I am going to sit out on any celebrations.
The Christian holiday of All Saint’s Day honors and recognizes all of the Saints of the Christian Church, many of which were martyrs. The Church sets this holiday aside to celebrate over 10,000 recognized Saints. Historically, All Saints Day was known as Hallowmas.
All Saints Day and All Souls Day was originally in May. The Holidays were moved to November 1st and November 2nd, to downplay the Pagan holidays of Halloween (All Hollow’s Eve) and Dia De Los Muertos. Religious leaders felt these holidays were too popular at the time to ban outright. But, if moved the Christian holidays to this time period, the Pagan holidays would slowly die away.
In ancient Rome, All Saints Day was called the “Feast of the Nameless Martyrs”.
History and Origin of All Saints Day
Pope Gregory IV established this holiday in 835A.D. which is a Roman Catholic holy day of obligation.
Other:
Dia De Los Muertos the Mexican celebration of the dead.
Halloween at Pumpkin Nook. Where else would you rather be for Halloween and Thanksgiving?!?
Dios Los Muertos, a two-day celebration on November 1st and 2nd
Translated to English, Dia de Los Muertos is “The Day of the Dead”. In actuality, Dio De Los Muertos is not one, but two holidays spent in honor of the dead. The first day celebrates infants and children who have died. This is a group that is believed to have a special place in Heaven, and are referred to as “Angelitos” or little Angels. The second holiday is in honor of adults who have passed away.
While the culture in the U.S. shys away from discussions of death, Mexicans embrace death. They use Dio De Los Muertos as an opportunity to celebrate the death and the life of loved ones and friends they knew in this world. Dio De Los Muertos is a day of celebration, not a day of mourning. While not alone in the world in celebrating death, it is certainly uncommon and could make someone from the U.S. very uncomfortable. Chinese also similarly celebrate their dead.
Dio De Los Muertos was celebrated in late July and early August by Aztec Indians for thousands of years. When the Spaniards conquered Mexico in the 1500s, they looked upon this celebration as a Pagan ritual. To eliminate it, they moved it to the date of All Saints and All Souls Day in November. The effort failed, and the Aztecs along with all Mexicans continue to celebrate the holiday.
How to Celebrate Día de los Muertos
- On Dio De Los Muertos, people prepare a feast with many of the favorite dishes of lost loved ones. Pan de Muertos or “Bread of the Dead” is a traditional Bread that is baked and eaten during this celebration. Mementos are set out of favorite things of the ones who have passed away.
- Visiting the cemetery is a popular tradition. At the cemetery, loved ones decorate the tomb or burial plot. The cemetery visit is spent in a picnic environment. Mariachi bands fill the air with music. The scent of a wide variety of foods wafts through the air. Fireworks are also common.
National Author’s Day– always observed on November 1st
Today is National Author’s Day which is all about recognizing and celebrating the many great American book Authors. Because of the Authors, we have great books to read and to be thankful for. It’s not easy to write a book. It seems only fitting, that this holiday exists, to allow us to show our appreciation to all American book Authors, past and present.
Have you ever thought of writing a book? It’s not easy. There’s a plot to develop and unfold. There’s a sizeable amount of research required, to get the facts and details just right. Then, comes the writing of the book, page by page, chapter by chapter.
Yes, writing is not always easy. An author can struggle to determine the proper nouns, verbs, and tenses. What adjectives to use, without adding too many, to enhance the story? Don’t forget punctuation. Punctuation errors the reader, taking away from the enjoyment of the story being told. With all the elements of prose to worry and fret over, it’s no wonder, that every writer struggles with writer’s block from time to time. This is where an author temporarily struggles to write. The words and sentences just don’t come. When writing a book, two tools are essential. First, a dictionary helps to define the meaning of words. Second, a Thesaurus provides important synonyms. They are similar words and concepts.
How to Celebrate National Author’s Day
We hope you participate in National Authors Day which you can do in a variety of ways:
- Purchase a book.
- Read a book.
- Send a thank you note to the Author of your favorite book.
- If you are lucky enough to know an Author personally, take him or her out to lunch or dinner.
- Attend a book signing.
- Did you ever think of writing a book? Then you should become an author.
History and Origin of National Author’s Day
The idea for National Authors Day was first conceived in 1928. Nellie Verne Burt McPherson, then President of the Bement Illinois Book Club, felt there should be a holiday to recognize and celebrate the many great American book Authors. Her club endorsed a resolution for National Author’s Day in May 1929. The General Federation of Women’s Clubs also endorsed it in 1929.
National Author’s Day was endorsed by the United States Department of Congress on November 1st, 1949. National Authors Day has been held annually on this date ever since.
Normally, it takes an Act of Congress or a Presidential proclamation to make a true “National” holiday. However, a resolution by the U.S. Department of Commerce is also sufficient.
World Vegan Day– is always observed on November 1st.
On World Vegan Day we celebrate those who practice Veganism. November 1st is a great opportunity to learn and appreciate the benefits of Veganism for humans, non-human animals, and the environment.
Veganism is the practice of consuming a plant-based diet and not eating animals. For a true vegan, this includes not eating Fish, Milk, Eggs, Cheese, and anything made with these products. Imagine all the foods that have Milk or Eggs in them! A significant number of people who are “Vegan”, will not eat Meat but will consume Milk or Eggs.
Today we celebrate the benefits of Veganism to:
- Humans – It’s a healthier, plant-based diet, and results in a healthier you. This diet is higher in fiber and lower in cholesterol. Helps to lower the risk of heart disease, lowers blood pressure, and obesity risk.
- Animals – Animals and animal rights groups will just love you. It means the lives of many animals will be spared.
- Environment – Plants are lower on the food chain and require far fewer resources to feed you than animal meats.
Vegan organizations celebrate this holiday, by raising awareness of veganism. They offer educational programs and workshops to the general public. They also sometimes hold a feast, loaded with plant-based goodies. If you are new to the world of Veganism, you can become a Vegan, if only for a day.
How to Celebrate World Vegan Day
- Become a Vegan.
- Move in the direction of becoming a Vegan.
- Add more plant-based food to your and your family’s diet.
History and Origin of World Vegan Day
In 1994, Louis Wallis, chair of “The Vegan Society” in the United Kingdom created this Holiday. It was created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this organization, founded in 1944.
World Vegan Day has been celebrated annually on November 1st ever since.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
