Full Month | NATIONAL BULLYING PREVENTION MONTH

A campaign to unite communities nationwide to educate and raise awareness of bullying prevention.

Full Month | NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH

Recognizes the contributions of workers with disabilities.

Full Month | LGBT HISTORY MONTH

Marks and celebrates the lives and achievements of lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender people in the United States.

October 5 | YOM KIPPUR - Jewish

The “Day of Atonement” marks the end of the Ten Days of Penitence that begin with Rosh Hashanah.

October 5 | DUSSEHRA/DASSERA - Hindu

Anniversary of the day when Rama killed the evil demon Ravana. Also known as Durga Puja, which celebrates the goddess Durga.

October 8 | MAWLID AL-NABI (Also known as MILAD AL-NABI) - Islamic (Sunni)

The observance of the birthday of Islam founder Prophet Muhammad, which is celebrated in Rabi' al-awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar. Shi’a Muslims celebrate it five days later than Sunni Muslims.

October 10 | INDIGENOUS PEOPLE’S DAY (Native American Day)

Celebrates and honors Native American history and culture.

October 10-16 | SUKKOT - Jewish

The week-long “Feast of Booths” commemorates the 40-year wandering of the Israelites in the desert on the way to the Promised Land.

October 11 | COMING OUT DAY

Encourages honesty and openness about being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Commemorates October 11, 1987, when 500,000 people marched on Washington, DC, for gay and lesbian equality.

October 13 | MAWLID AL-NABI (Also known as MILAD AL-NABI) - Islamic (Shi’a)

The observance of the birthday of Islam founder Prophet Muhammad, which is celebrated in Rabi' al-awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar. Sunni Muslims celebrate it five days earlier than Shi’a Muslims.

October 17 | SHEMINI ATZERET - Jewish

“The Eighth (Day) of Assembly” is observed on the day immediately following Sukkot.

October 18 | SIMCHAT TORAH - Jewish

“Rejoicing in the Torah” celebrates the conclusion of the public reading of the Pentateuch and its beginning anew.

October 20 | GUR-GADDI GURU GRANTH SAHIB - Sikh

Since 1708, Sikhs have accepted Sri Guru Granth Sahib as their eternal Guru that holds the spirit of all Ten Gurus of the Sikhs. They consider Guru Granth Sahib to be a spiritual guide not only for Sikhs but for all of mankind; it plays a central role in guiding the Sikhs' way of life.

October 24 | BANDI-CHHOR DIWAS - Sikh

A commemorative occasion having no fixed date which occurs in October or November and celebrates the release of the Sixth Guru Har Gobind Sahib from imprisonment and coincides with Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.

October 24 | DIWALI - Hindu

Also called Deepavali, “Festival of Lights”, it celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance.

October 24 - UNITED NATIONS DAY

Commemorates the founding of the world organization in 1945.

October 31 | HALLOWEEN

The eve of All Saints’ Day.

October 31 | REFORMATION DAY - Christian

Commemorates the beginning of the Protestant Reformation in 1517.