World Holidays Featured This Month

Cyprus - Independence Day - October 1
Celebrates Cyprus' independence from Britain, gained in 1960.

Nigeria - National Day - October 1
Commemorates Nigeria's independence after 60 years under British control (1900-1960).

India - Ghandi Jayanti (Mahatma Gandhi's Birthday) - October 2
Celebrates the birth of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Admirers embark on pilgrimages to the Raj Ghat in Delhi, where Gandhi was cremated. Spinning and weaving (which Gandhi promoted as a way to combat British monopolies) are also done in his honor on this day.

Germany - German Unification Day - October 3
Commemorates the reunification of East and West Germany. Germans celebrate with a street festival, speeches, and marches. Each year, festivities are held in a different German state.

North & South Korea - Han'gul Day - October 9
Commemorates the founding of the Korean alphabet, which was developed by scholars in 1446. It is celebrated with Confucian rituals, traditional dance performances, and calligraphy competitions.

Taiwan - Double Tenth Day - October 10
Named for its date (the tenth day of the tenth month), this day celebrates the Chinese Revolution in 1911, which led to the establishment of the Republic of China. Celebrated with rallies, parades, performances, and fireworks.

Peru - Senor de los Milagros (Lord of the Miracles) - October 18-28
An annual procession based around a wall painting of Christ made by an Angolan slave in Peru in the 1600s. Portions of the wall are carried through the streets of Lima and are followed by thousands of people.