Special Days In November

Special Days In November

US Election Day is the second Tuesday in November (varies, November 2-8)

This is not a holiday; though many government offices do close down on General Election Day, this day is a day of exercising the American Citizen’s right to vote and it is part of the integral running of The United States of America. This is also not a day of festivities or parties, it is a day to get out and make a difference in your community, state and country. US General Election Day is not a fixed date but occurs the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

There was not a single election day in the United States until 1845. It was this year that congress decided that a single day would be sufficient for all the states in the Union. Previously each state was allowed 34 days before the first Wednesday in December to complete the voting process. They could handle this in their way and time. The month of November was chosen as America was, at that time, an agricultural society, so a month had to be chosen where travel was possible, and the tending of crops was no longer necessary.

A single day was chosen, a Tuesday, because in 1845, a person would have to travel to the county seat to vote. Monday was out of the question because it was the day after the Sabbath and no travel could take place on the Sabbath, and Wednesday was ruled out as it was always market day. US General Election Day is held only on even-numbered years as the even numbers coincide with the even number of years elected officials have in office. 

November is…
Adopt A Senior Pet Month
Alzheimer’s Disease Month
Aviation History Month
Banana Pudding Lovers Month
Diabetic Eye Disease Month
Epilepsy Awareness Month
Family Caregivers Month
Family Stories Month
Gluten-Free Diet Awareness Month
Gratitude Month
Historic Bridge Awareness Month
Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Movember
Military Family Month
Native American Heritage Month
Peanut Butter Lovers Month
Raisin Bread Month
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
Prematurity Awareness Month
Spinach and Squash Month
Stomach Cancer Awareness Month
NoSHAVEmber
Vegan Month
Worldwide Bereaved Siblings Month
Senior Pet Month

Peanut Butter Lovers Month
What would you choose if you were stranded on a desert island and could have a lifetime supply of only one kind of food? If you said peanut butter, then have we got something exciting for you! No, it’s not a one-way ticket to the Caribbean; it’s better: an entire month dedicated to celebrating peanut butter (and peanut butter lovers like you).

Peanut Butter Lovers Month started as Peanut Butter Lovers Day on November 4th, 1990, in honor of Dr. John Kellogg’s first application for a peanut butter patent back in 1895. The holiday was extended (or should we say spread) to fill the entire month of November in 1995 to celebrate 100 years of this delicious, all-American treat. In only one short century, peanut butter has become one of America’s iconic comfort foods. We enjoy it in our lunch boxes, spread on crackers and bagels, baked into cookies or pies, and even, decadently, right out of the jar.

Far from being a guilty pleasure, peanut butter is good for you, especially if you eat “natural” peanut butter without added sugar and emulsifiers. Rich in protein, fiber, immune-boosting nutrients, and good kinds of fat, peanut butter can help you stick to your diet (haha, get it?) by making you feel fuller and satisfied longer. Eating peanuts (all peanut butter is) has also been linked to lower risks of heart disease, diabetes, and other diet-related diseases. Happy Peanut Butter Lover’s Month to you and yours!

The First Full Week of November is…
Animal Shelter Appreciation Week is dedicated to recognizing and raising awareness of what animal shelters do for animals in need. 
The First Monday in November is…
Color the World Orange Day is dedicated to raising awareness and supporting people living with addiction. 

Job Action Day is dedicated to recognizing the work of workers, union members, and labor organizations who strive to improve the lives of working people.

The First Wednesday in November is…
Eating Healthy Day is dedicated to recognizing the importance of healthy food choices and a balanced diet.

National Stress Awareness Day is dedicated to raising awareness of stress and its effects on individuals, families, and communities. Participating in activities that reduce stress, such as yoga, meditation, or journaling, and sharing stories about how you have reduced stress in your life or with someone you know.

The First Thursday in November is…
National Cash Back Day is dedicated to educating consumers about cash-back offers, rewards, and loyalty programs. Participate by taking advantage of cash-back offers in participating stores and sharing stories about how to earn cash back.

Men Make Dinner Day is dedicated to encouraging men to cook a special meal for the family. 

The First Friday in November is…
Jersey Friday is dedicated to encouraging people to wear their favorite sports jerseys and celebrating the athletes who inspire us.
The First Saturday in November is…
National Play Outside Day (Every month) is dedicated to encouraging people to get outside and enjoy all the fall season offers.
The First Sunday in November is…
When Daylight Savings Time Ends (and Standard Time Begins), Daylight Saving Time (DST) sets the clock forward by one hour during the summer months to extend evening daylight. The idea behind DST is to use natural daylight better, reducing the need for artificial lighting and energy consumption. The dates when DST starts and ends vary depending on the country or region. In the United States, for example, DST starts on the second Sunday of March and ends on the first Sunday of November. In the European Union, DST starts on the last Sunday of March and ends on the last Sunday of October. It’s important to note that not all countries observe DST, and some regions have different rules about when it starts and ends.
The Second Monday in November is…
Veterans Day

Although officially November 11, Veterans Day is celebrated on the second Monday in November. It is a day to honor all those who have served The United States of America since the country was formed.  Veterans Day honors all parts of the United States Military, The Army, The Navy, and The Marine Corps.  It honors both those who are serving and those who have served.

World War One was considered the War To End All Wars. On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918, an armistice or temporary ceasing of hostilities between the Allied Nations and Germany was signed.  Although the official ending of the war would not occur until the following year, this date has been considered the end of WWI.

In November 1919, President Wilson made a proclamation, naming November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day and issued the following statement: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations….”

Though there were many different ways of celebrating Armistice Day, it was not made a legal holiday until May 13, 1938.  That day was then considered a day to celebrate and do what could be done for world peace.  But that would not last as World War Two was a storm quickly gathering on The United States horizon.

World War Two would mobilize more citizens and equipment and supplies than WWI.  So the war to end all wars was not that at all.  After WWII and after the Korean War, The Veterans Service Organization urged the eighty-third congress to change Armistice Day to Veterans Day.  This occurred on June 1, 1954.  On October 8, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first Veterans Day proclamation as follows…

“In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans’ organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible.”

So November 11 has gone from a day to honor peace to a day that honors those who fought for peace. 

The Week Before Thanksgiving is…
American Education Week is an annual event in the United States, usually during the third week of November. It’s a celebration of public education and is designed to promote education’s importance and recognize the hard work of educators, students, and parents. The National Education Association (NEA) and the American Legion organize the event.
The Third Thursday in November is…
The Great American Smokeout is held on the third Thursday of November. Its purpose is to inspire people to stop smoking and educate the public on the dangers of smoking cigarettes. The Great American Smokeout had a small beginning in 1970 and slowly blossomed. The day marked its full debut on November 16, 1977. The American Cancer Society sponsors the day. The original idea of the day was to give up smoking for one day and to give the money saved to a local high school. It was hoped that giving up the habit for one day might inspire people to quit smoking permanently. It was estimated in 2020 that 30.8 million Americans smoke.

National Rural Health Day is dedicated to recognizing rural healthcare providers, acknowledging the unique challenges these individuals face daily, and celebrating the successes in improving rural healthcare quality. 

World Pancreatic Cancer Day is dedicated to raising awareness about pancreatic cancer, providing resources and support for those affected, and honoring those we have lost to the disease. 

The Third Friday in November is…
Substitute Educator Day honors all substitute teachers, who fill important roles in many school systems and can often be overlooked. 
The Third Saturday in November is…
National Adoption Day celebrates adoptions and brings awareness to the need for more loving families for children in foster care. 
The Wednesday Before Thanksgiving is…
Blackout Wednesday, aka Drinksgiving, is often one of the year’s biggest Drinking/DUI nights. 
#dontdrinkanddrive
The Fourth Wednesday of Thanksgiving is…
National Jukebox Day is a music-filled celebration dedicated to the jukebox – a machine that helped many people enjoy their favorite tunes. On this day, gather your friends for an at-home dance party, go out and visit a local jukebox, or listen to some records from your collection. 

Tie One On Day is the perfect excuse to don your most stylish outfit and head out for a fun night of cooking and prepping food. Put on whatever makes you feel confident, gather your friends, and prepare a feast. 

The Fourth Thursday in November is…
National Day of Mourning g is a day of remembrance for Indigenous peoples in North America. It is held each year on the fourth Friday of November, and it is an occasion to remember and honor the Indigenous peoples who have been affected by the ongoing impacts of colonization, including the loss of lives, land, and culture. Canada’s government officially recognized the day in 1991; since then, it has been marked with ceremonies, events, and gatherings across the country. The day is recognized by Indigenous peoples and their allies, as well as by the government, as a time to reflect on the harm caused by past policies and to commit to a more just and equitable future for Indigenous peoples.

Thanksgiving Day (US Federal Holiday) is an annual holiday in the United States and Canada, typically celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States and the second Monday of October in Canada. It is a day for people to give thanks for the past year’s blessings. The holiday has its roots in a 1621 feast shared by the English colonists (Pilgrims) of Plymouth and the Wampanoag people. The holiday tradition is to gather with family and friends, enjoy a big meal, usually featuring a roast turkey, and give thanks for the year’s blessings. Traditional foods include stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie. Some people also attend religious services to give thanks to God. Thanksgiving is also considered a time of family reunion and is often a time for people to travel to be with loved ones.

The Day After Thanksgiving is…
Black Friday is the day following Thanksgiving Day in the United States, traditionally the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. It is one of the year’s busiest shopping days, and retailers often offer significant discounts and promotions to kick off the holiday shopping season. But in the 1960s, Philadelphia police used the term to describe the heavy traffic and chaos that ensued on the day after Thanksgiving.

The media picked up the term “Black Friday,” which has since become a widely recognized term for the day after Thanksgiving when retailers begin to turn a profit or “go into the black.” In recent years, many retailers have started their sales on Thanksgiving Day, and some even started on the preceding days, extending the shopping season even more.

Buy Nothing Day
Flossing Day
Maize Day
National Day of Listening
National Native American Heritage Day
You’re Welcomegiving Day

The Saturday After Thanksgiving is…
Small Business Saturday is an annual event that occurs on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the day following Black Friday. It is a day to support small businesses and encourage people to shop at small, independently-owned stores and restaurants. The event was first started in 2010 by American Express to help small businesses compete with large retailers on Black Friday.

Small Business Saturday encourages people to shop at local, independently-owned businesses, which are often the backbone of their communities. These businesses often rely on local customers for their success, and they provide jobs and support to the community. Many small business owners participate in the event by offering special promotions and discounts on Small Business Saturday. The event has gained traction and popularity over the years, and it’s now widely recognized as an opportunity for people to support their local community by shopping at small businesses.

The Monday After Thanksgiving is…
Cyber Monday is the Monday following Thanksgiving Day in the United States. It is a day when many retailers offer sales and promotions online to encourage people to shop online. The term “Cyber Monday” was first coined in a press release by the National Retail Federation in a press release on November 28, 2005. It was created to encourage people to shop online the day after the Thanksgiving weekend when many people return to work and access high-speed internet connections at their workplaces.

Cyber Monday has become one of the busiest online shopping days of the year, and it’s now widely recognized as an opportunity for people to get great deals on various products online. Many retailers offer special promotions and discounts on Cyber Monday, and it’s also an opportunity for people to take advantage of free shipping and other perks. Many retailers also offer extended Cyber Monday sales that last through the week or even the entire month. Cyber Monday has become a significant event in the retail calendar, and it is considered the online version of Black Friday.

The Tuesday After Thanksgiving is…
The National Day of Giving, also known as Giving Tuesday, is an annual event on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, the first Tuesday of December. It is a day to encourage people to donate to charitable causes and organizations. The event was first started in 2012 by the 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation to promote charitable giving during the holiday season.

The idea behind the National Day of Giving is to encourage people to support the causes and organizations that they care about and to inspire others to do the same. Many non-profits, charities, and organizations participate in the event by encouraging donations, hosting fundraising events, and promoting the impact of their work. It is a day to focus on giving back to the community and supporting organizations working to improve the world. Many people use the National Day of Giving to kick off their holiday giving and make a difference in the lives of others.

The Wednesday After Thanksgiving is…
National Package Protection Day is a reminder to help keep your gifts safe from breakage, theft, and other issues. Make sure your presents reach their destination in one piece by taking extra precautions when packaging – like using bubble wrap, double-boxing, and properly labeling items with the sender’s details. 
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