Special Days In November

Special Days In November

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. 

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!

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.

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.

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

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. 

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. 

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. 

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 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

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.

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 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.