Halloween

Halloween, a holiday observed on October 31 and noted for its pagan and religious roots and secular traditions. In much of Europe and most of North America, observance of Halloween is largely nonreligious, celebrated with parties, spooky costumes, jack-o’-lanterns, pumpkin carvings, and the giving of candy. But the holiday also marks the beginning of Allhallotide, a three-day Christian triduum dedicated to remembering the dead that begins with Halloween (October 31) and is followed by All Saints’ Day (November 1) and All Souls’ Day (November 2).

Halloween had its origins in the festival of Samhain among the Celts of ancient Britain and Ireland. On the day corresponding to November 1 on contemporary calendars, the new year was believed to begin. That date was considered the beginning of the winter period, the date on which the herds were returned from pasture and land tenures were renewed. During the Samhain festival the souls of those who had died were believed to return to visit their homes, and those who had died during the year were believed to journey to the otherworld. People set bonfires on hilltops for relighting their hearth fires for the winter and to frighten away evil spirits, and they sometimes wore masks and other disguises to avoid being recognized by the ghosts thought to be present. It was in those ways that beings such as witches, hobgoblins, fairies, and demons came to be associated with the day. The period was also thought to be favourable for divination on matters such as marriage, health, and death. When the Romans conquered the Celts in the 1st century ce, they added their own festivals of Feralia, commemorating the passing of the dead, and of Pomona, the goddess of the harvest.

In the 7th century ce Pope Boniface IV established All Saints’ Day, originally on May 13, and in the following century, perhaps in an effort to supplant the pagan holiday with a Christian observance, it was moved to November 1. The evening before All Saints’ Day became a holy, or hallowed, eve, from which the word "Halloween" evolved. By the end of the Middle Ages, the secular and the sacred days had merged.

The Reformation essentially put an end to the religious holiday among Protestants, although in Britain especially Halloween continued to be celebrated as a secular holiday. Along with other festivities, the celebration of Halloween was largely forbidden among the early American colonists, although in the 1800s there developed festivals that marked the harvest and incorporated elements of Halloween. When large numbers of immigrants, including the Irish, went to the United States beginning in the mid 19th century, they took their Halloween customs with them, and in the 20th century Halloween became one of the principal U.S. holidays, particularly among children.

As a secular holiday, Halloween has come to be associated with a number of activities. One is the practice of pulling usually harmless pranks. Celebrants wear masks and costumes for parties and for trick-or-treating, thought to have derived from the British practice of allowing the poor to beg for food, called “soul cakes.” Trick-or-treaters go from house to house with the threat that they will pull a trick if they do not receive a treat, usually candy. Halloween parties often include games such as bobbing for apples, perhaps derived from the Roman celebration of Pomona. Along with skeletons and black cats, the holiday has incorporated scary beings such as ghosts, witches, and vampires into the celebration. Another symbol is the jack-o’lantern, a hollowed-out pumpkin, originally a turnip, carved into a demonic face and lit with a candle inside. Since the mid-20th century the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has attempted to make the collection of money for its programs a part of Halloween.

 

Dayananda Sarasvati's Death Anniversary

 

Dayananda Sarasvati, who passed away of 30 October, 1883, in Ajmer, Rajputana, aged 59, was a Hindu ascetic and social reformer who was the founder (1875) of the Arya Samaj (Society of Aryans [Nobles]), a Hindu reform movement advocating a return to the temporal and spiritual authority of the Vedas, the earliest scriptures of India.

Dayananda received the early education appropriate to a young Brahman of a well-to-do family. At the age of 14 he accompanied his father on an all-night vigil at a Shiva temple. While his father and some others fell asleep, mice, attracted by the offerings placed before the image of the deity, ran over the image, polluting it. The experience set off a profound revulsion in the young boy against what he considered to be senseless idol worship. His religious doubts were further intensified five years later by the death of a beloved uncle. In a search for a way to overcome the limits of mortality, he was directed first toward Yoga (a system of mental and physical disciplines). Faced with the prospect of a marriage being arranged for him, he left home and joined the Sarasvati order of ascetics.

For the next 15 years (1845–60) he travelled throughout India in search of a religious truth and finally became a disciple of Swami Virajananda. His guru, in lieu of the usual teacher’s fees, extracted a promise from Dayananda (the name taken by him at the time of his initiation as an ascetic) to spend his life working toward a reinstatement of the Vedic Hinduism that had existed in pre-Buddhist India.

Dayananda first attracted wide public attention for his views when he engaged in a public debate with orthodox Hindu scholars in Benares (Varanasi) presided over by the maharaja of Benares. The first meeting establishing the Arya Samaj was held in Bombay (now Mumbai) on April 10, 1875. Although some of Dayananda’s claims to the unassailable authority of the Vedas seem extravagant (for example, modern technological achievements such as the use of electricity he claimed to have found described in the Vedas), he furthered many important social reforms. He opposed child marriage, advocated the remarriage of widows, opened Vedic study to members of all castes, and founded many educational and charitable institutions. The Arya Samaj also contributed greatly to the reawakening of a spirit of Indian nationalism in pre-Independence days.

Dayananda died after vigorous public criticism of a princely ruler, under circumstances suggesting that he might have been poisoned by one of the maharaja’s supporters, but the accusation was never proved in court.

World Stroke Day

Observed annually on October 29, World Stroke Day raises global awareness about stroke, focusing on prevention, improved care, and essential support for stroke survivors.

As a leading cause of disability and the second-leading cause of death worldwide, stroke remains highly preventable.

The World Stroke Organisation (WSO) established this day to stress the urgency of stroke as a medical emergency, highlighting early warning signs such as sudden weakness, confusion, difficulty speaking, and severe headache.

History

The World Stroke Organisation introduced World Stroke Day in 2006 to raise awareness about the global impact of stroke and advocate for prevention and improved healthcare responses.

WSO’s vision emphasises educating the public on recognising stroke symptoms and seeking urgent care, encouraging government and health system involvement, and supporting stroke survivors.

Significance

World Stroke Day plays a vital role in saving lives and minimising the devastating impact of strokes on millions.

By highlighting stroke causes and preventive measures, this day encourages individuals to take proactive steps in managing their health, recognising risk factors, and adopting healthier lifestyle choices.

It also emphasises the importance of prioritising rehabilitation and ensuring access to quality medical care for stroke survivors.

 

International Animation Day

International Animation Day (IAD) is observed on October 28 every year. Launched in 2002 by the International Animated Film Association (ASIFA), a part of UNESCO, this day is all about inspiring fresh talent and celebrating the world of animation.

Animation has come a long way since its beginnings in 1892 when French inventor Charles-Émile Reynaud revolutionised the art form. Reynaud was the first to project animated cartoons to a public audience in 1892 in Paris. Over the years, countless innovations have transformed art from simple hand-drawn sketches into today’s stunning digital masterpieces.

Now recognised in over 50 countries, International Animation Day honours the art form that continues to mesmerise audiences of all ages.

Animation comes in a variety of forms, such as stop motion, typography, 3D and traditional 2D animation. Each style brings its own unique flair and storytelling potential.

Isaac Singer's Birth Anniversary

 

Isaac Singer, born on 27 October 1811, in Pittstown, New York, U.S., was an American inventor who developed and brought into general use the first practical domestic sewing machine.

At the age of 19 Singer became an apprentice machinist, and in 1839 he patented a rock-drilling machine. Ten years later he patented a metal- and wood-carving machine. While working in a Boston machine shop in 1851, Singer was asked to repair a Lerow and Blodgett sewing machine; 11 days later he had designed and built an improved model, which he patented and sold through I.M. Singer & Company. The first to embody features allowing continuous and curved stitching, his machine employed an overhanging arm holding the needle bar over a horizontal table, thus making it possible to sew on any part of the work. His basic design features have been followed in almost all subsequent machines.

Because Singer had embodied in his machine the basic eye-pointed needle and the lock stitch developed by Elias Howe of the United States, Howe won a patent-infringement suit against him in 1854. The suit did not prevent Singer from manufacturing his machine, however, and in June 1851 he formed a partnership with Edward Clark. By 1860 their company had become the largest producer of sewing machines in the world. Singer secured 12 additional patents for improvements to his machine.

Singer pioneered the use of instalment credit plans, which have had a profound effect on consumer sales in modern society. In 1863 Singer and Clark formed the Singer Manufacturing Company, and Singer retired to England.

 

National Black Cat Day (USA)

 

Along with witches, pumpkins, and trick-or-treating, black cats are indelibly linked with Halloween.  So, it's only fitting in the lead-up to the big night that they get their own day.

National Black Cat Day on October 27 was created in 2011 to help dispel the myths surrounding these enigmatic animals. Black cats have been the subject of legend and superstition for centuries, associated with witchcraft, the supernatural, and bad luck. Because of that unjust reputation, some studies have found that black cats aren't adopted as quickly as cats of other colours. This is debated, but whatever the reality, there's a mystique around black cats that's undeniable.

National Black Cat Day invites people to cast aside any reservations by embracing black cats with treats, toys, and extra snuggles. Non-cat owners can also participate by considering adopting a black cat or donating to a feline charity.

The message is that black cats are like any other pets and deserve just as much care and attention.

Sant Namdev's Birth Anniversary

 

Namdev, transliterated as Nam Dayv, Namdeo, Namadeva, born on c. 26 October 1270, was a Marathi Vaishnava saint from Narsi, Hingoli, Maharashtra, Medieval India within the Varkari tradition of Hinduism. He was as a devotee of the deity Vithoba of Pandharpur.

Namdev was influenced by Vaishnavism and became widely known in India for his devotional songs set to music (bhajan-kirtans). His philosophy contains both nirguna brahman and saguna brahman elements, with Vedanta themes. Namdev's legacy is remembered in modern times in the Varkari tradition, along with those of other gurus, with masses of people walking together in biannual pilgrimages to Pandharpur in Maharashtra.  He is also recognised in the North Indian traditions of the Dadu Panthis, Kabir Panthis and Sikhs.

Some hymns of Namdev are included in the Guru Granth Sahib.