National Arts and Humanities Month runs throughout October each year and is the largest annual celebration of the arts and humanities in the United States. Coordinated by Americans for the Arts, it encourages individuals, organisations, and communities to take part in cultural life and to recognise the value the arts bring to everyday experience. What...
National Book Month takes place every October and is a celebration of reading, writing, and the enduring importance of books in everyday life. Established by the National Book Foundation, the month encourages people of all ages to pick up a book, discover new authors, and reflect on the role that literature and literacy play in...
National Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month takes place throughout October each year. It is a public health observance in the United States that raises awareness of SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths, promotes proven safe-sleep practices, and offers support to families who have lost a baby. The observance is led by the Safe...
Church Library Month is observed throughout October each year, celebrating the libraries housed within churches and other places of worship and the volunteers who run them. The month encourages congregations to refresh their collections, recognise their librarians, and remind members of a free resource that often sits quietly at the heart of community life. It...
Adopt a Shelter Dog Month takes place throughout October each year, encouraging people across the United States to open their homes to dogs waiting in animal shelters and rescue organisations. The month-long campaign is sponsored by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and has its roots in a tradition of...
Emotional Wellness Month is observed throughout October each year in the United States, encouraging individuals to prioritise their emotional health, develop healthy coping strategies, and take meaningful steps toward greater resilience and self-awareness. The month-long observance is recognised by health professionals, universities, workplaces, and community organisations across the country. What is Emotional Wellness Month? Emotional...
National Pickled Peppers Month is a food observance held throughout October each year in the United States. It celebrates the bright, tangy, and endlessly versatile world of pickled peppers, from mild banana peppers to fiery jalapenos. Across October 2026, home cooks, gardeners, and food lovers are encouraged to pickle a batch, share a jar, and...
National Ergonomics Month takes place throughout October 2026 and is an annual observance led by the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES). It promotes the science and practice of ergonomics, encouraging workplaces, schools, and individuals to design tasks, tools, and environments that fit people better and reduce the risk of injury. What is National Ergonomics...
National Fire Prevention Month takes place throughout October 2026 across the United States. The observance encourages households, schools, workplaces, and fire services to focus on practical steps that reduce the risk of fire and prepare people to respond safely if one breaks out. It builds on the long-running Fire Prevention Week, sponsored by the National...
National Stamp Collecting Month is observed throughout October across the United States, encouraging people of all ages to take up philately, the study and collection of postage stamps. Established in 1981 by the United States Postal Service in partnership with the Council of Philatelic Organizations, it celebrates one of the world's most enduring hobbies and...
National Caramel Month takes place throughout October each year and celebrates one of confectionery's most beloved creations. Observed across the United States, it gives bakers, home cooks, and sweet-toothed fans a full month to enjoy caramel in all its forms, from chewy candies and silky sauces to autumn favourites like caramel apples. The timing is...
National Crime Prevention Month is observed throughout October across the United States. Led by the National Crime Prevention Council and embraced by law enforcement agencies, schools, and community groups, the month encourages everyday people to take practical steps that make their homes, families, and neighbourhoods safer. It is a nationwide reminder that preventing crime is...
Long-Term Care Planning Month takes place throughout October 2026. Observed in the United States, it encourages individuals and families to think ahead about how they would manage care in later life or after a serious illness, and to put financial and practical plans in place before they are needed. What is Long-Term Care Planning Month?...
National Cookbook Month is celebrated throughout October, putting the spotlight on the humble cookbook and the role it plays in preserving recipes and culinary traditions. In 2026 it runs from Thursday, 1 October to Saturday, 31 October. The month encourages home cooks to dust off their shelves, try new recipes and rediscover the pleasure of...
I'm Just Me Because Month is observed throughout October each year. It invites people to express their individuality, build self-esteem and challenge the stereotypes that hold others back. The month was founded in 2016 by National Day Calendar in partnership with the I'm Just Me Movement, a non-profit that advocates for inclusion, diversity and bullying...
National Pet Wellness Month is observed throughout October each year and encourages pet owners to prioritise preventive veterinary care for their dogs, cats and other companion animals. The campaign promotes regular wellness examinations as the simplest way to help pets live longer, healthier lives. In 2026 it runs from Thursday, 1 October to Saturday, 31...
National Pit Bull Awareness Month runs throughout October 2026, dedicated to changing public perceptions of pit bull type dogs and promoting responsible, informed ownership. Founded by the rescue and education group Bless the Bullys, the month-long campaign encourages education, adoption, and an honest conversation about a breed group that is frequently misunderstood. It builds on...
Eat Better, Eat Together Month runs throughout October 2026, encouraging families to share more meals and improve the quality of what they eat. The observance promotes the simple idea that sitting down to eat together, rather than alone or on the go, supports better nutrition, stronger relationships, and healthier habits. It is widely promoted in...
Healthy Lung Month takes place throughout October each year and is observed across the United States to raise awareness of lung health and the conditions that threaten it. Led by the American Lung Association alongside other health organisations, the month encourages people to protect their lungs from smoking, air pollution, and other respiratory hazards while...
National Physical Therapy Month takes place throughout October 2026, running from Thursday 1 October to Saturday 31 October. Organised by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), the observance raises public awareness of the benefits of physical therapy and recognises the physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students who help people move, recover, and stay active...
Pear and Pineapple Month takes place throughout October, celebrating two of autumn's most rewarding fruits. The observance encourages people to enjoy pears and pineapples at their seasonal best, to try new recipes, and to appreciate the nutrition and versatility both fruits bring to the kitchen. It is recognised across the United States and listed by...
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