Opportunity Abounds in October 2023
Key events, themes, holidays and sporting events in October 2023
October is the most densely packed month of the year for events, with 10% more events than the second most popular month, May. This year features an annular solar eclipse visible in the Americas on October 14, 2023.
Gay and Lesbian History Month ensures October is an intense month for LGBTQ+ events and pride days, second only to June.
Canada celebrates Women's History Month and its Thanksgiving Day on October 9, and the Virgin Islands celebrate Hurricane Thanksgiving Day on October 16.
The United Kingdom focuses on Black History Month. The United States celebrates Italian-American Heritage Month, Polish-American Heritage Month, and Muslim-American Heritage Month. Health themes center on addiction and its diseases.
Independence Day anniversaries are celebrated in:
Azerbaijan (October 18, 1991)
Fiji (October 9, 1970)
Cyprus (October 1, 1960)
Czech Republic (October 28, 1918)
Equatorial Guinea (October 12, 1968)
Lesotho (October 1, 1966)
Nigeria (October 1, 1960/1963)
Turkmenistan (October 27, 1991)
Uganda (October 9, 1962)
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (October 27, 1979)
Zambia (October 23, 1964)
National Day holidays globally include:
Austria (October 26, 1955)
China (October 1, 1949)
Tuvalu (October 1, 1978)
Republic Day is celebrated in:
Hungary (October 23, 1956/1989)
Portugal (October 5, 1910)
Turkey (October 29, 1923)
This issue starts with flying high and a kaleidoscope of color, the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival.
ALBUQUERQUE INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FESTIVAL
Date: October 7-15, 2023
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Champion: Albuquerque International Balloon Festival, Inc.
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the premier international ballooning event, powered by the perfect October climate and a phenomenon called the "Albuquerque Box" (a combination of weather patterns and geographic landscape, the box allows balloonists to control and even retrace their adventure).
The place to be in October is Balloon Fiesta Park. The 360-acre Park with 100 acres of grass and booths boasts balloons and concessions selling everything from traditional New Mexican food to balloon memorabilia. Each year, balloon teams from around the world participate in the event, and news coverage originates from more than 50 countries. It has become the most photographed event in the world.
This event first ran in 1972.
INKTOBER
Date: October 1-31, 2023
Location: Worldwide
Champion: Jake Parker
Inktober is an annual event that encourages artists worldwide to engage in the art of drawing with ink during October. Jake Parker initiated the event in 2009 to improve his inking skills and drawing habits. It has since gone global, with thousands of artists participating annually.
The year's topics were posted on September 1, and the rules of Inktober are straightforward:
Make a drawing in ink.
Post it online on any social media platform, blog, or website.
Hashtag it with #Inktober2023
Repeat this every day of October.
Topics for ink drawings change daily throughout the month. Each is a single word that participants can interpret however they like.
Inktober helps artists develop positive drawing habits and improve their inking skills while expanding their body of work. It also fosters community as artists share their work, engage with each other, and gain exposure.
THE INKTOBER COPYRIGHT AND PLAGIARISM SCANDALS
In 2017, due to a scandal surrounding the trademarking of the name Inktober by Parker and the artwork produced by participants in the month, the month fell out of favor with artists. Artists started receiving cease and desist letters dating back to 2013 for using "Inktober" in the title of their works for sale. The legal team behind the strategy sought to retroactively "clear the market" for Parker's upcoming art instruction book "Inktober All Year Long," due for release in 2020.
The artists targeted took the trademark strategy as a legal shakedown, given that the letters asked for compensation for their original artworks. Parker insists his lawyers acted overzealously, and Amazon and Etsy were responsible for the cease and desist letters that intimated compensation was owed him due to the new trademark. Ultimately, the trademark controversy alienated the art community, and by 2019, Inktober fell out of favor.
Then, Parker found himself roiled in a second scandal that year over his soon-to-be-released book when Youtuber and author of the instructional drawing series "Pen and Ink Drawing, a Simple Guide," Alfonso Dunn, accused Parker of plagiarism after seeing that a number of the drawings in his books were suspiciously similar to his own. Parker's book followed Dunn's in using parallel presentations, layouts, descriptions, and similar images to teach artists to draw in ink, which is highly unusual as each artist has his or her own creative process and style. Dunn posted his suspicions and examples on social media, and the global artist community quickly engaged, becoming amateur sleuths and testing his thesis. Social media exploded with examples and tutorials arguing for and against plagiarism. Ultimately, the publisher pulled the book from its 2020 release, and Deviant Art pulled out of hosting the Inktober Awards.
As of this writing, Parker's book has yet to be published. In 2023, the event is coming back with new partners and a professional PR firm behind it.
CRITICAL ILLNESS AWARENESS MONTH
Date: October 1-31, 2023
Location: United States
Champion: American Association for Critical Illness Insurance
I'll admit, until I discovered this event, I had no idea this kind of insurance coverage existed. Critical Illness Awareness Month seeks to educate the public about the availability of insurance in the event a person is diagnosed with a severe illness.
Critical Illness Insurance provides a lump-sum benefit upon the diagnosis of an acute illness or medical event. This can include, but is not limited to, conditions such as cancer, heart attack, stroke, organ transplants, coronary bypass surgery, or other severe illnesses as defined in the insurance policy.
This type of insurance aims to cover costs associated with treating and managing the illness and any financial obligations that may become more challenging due to the disease. These could include daily living expenses, out-of-pocket medical costs, mortgage payments, or even travel expenses related to medical treatment.
Critical illness policies specify what illnesses are covered, the specific definitions of illnesses, any waiting periods, and any exclusions that may apply.
STOP BULLYING MONTH
Date: October 1-31
Location: United States
Champion: Hey UGLY (Unique, Gifted, Lovable, You)
National Stop Bullying Month is one of several anti-bullying awareness events in October that work against bullying in all its shapes and forms. Whether it's school, street, state-sponsored, or cyberbullying, bullying is always a traumatic experience for the bullied and those around them.
Bullies can be people, animals, corporations, organizations, or even nation-states. Regardless of form, bullies seek to gain or regain a sense of control using a variety of tactics, including physical violence, shaming, trolling, name-calling, spreading lies, silencing, banning, screaming, and other harmful behavior. Rather than "pick on someone their size" who can fight back or make things difficult, bullies seek to exploit vulnerabilities in an effort to look superior to others or pull the "victim card" to justify their bullying.
This month is about saying "No!" to bullying and educating people on the resources available to help the bullied and bullies change their lives.
In October, the United Kingdom, Canada, and several other nations also have anti-bullying awareness campaigns.
October is also National End Domestic Violence Month. Domestic violence is another form of bullying.
ISLAMIC HISTORY MONTH AND MUSLIM-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
Date: October 1-31, 2023
Location: Canada, United States
Champion: Islamic History Canada; American Muslims, Inc.
Islamic History Month in Canada and Muslim-American Heritage Month in the United States explore the rich heritage of Islam and Muslims in North America and the world.
Muslim Americans currently account for a little over 1% of the North American population (Pew Research 2016) and will continue to grow as a community over the next century.
A REALLY, REALLY, REALLY BRIEF HISTORY OF MUSLIM AMERICANS
The first documented Muslim in America arrived in 1528 when the slave ship he was on was shipwrecked. Estevanico of Morroco washed ashore in today's Galveston, Texas. Native Americans welcomed him, and Estevanico lived free, becoming a healer and medicine man. It is possible others arrived earlier with Conquistadors as conscripted deckhands in 1502 Florida, but their names are not documented.
The arrival of slavery in the United States in 1619 to Jamestown brought the first group of Muslims to American shores, though not willingly. The slaves arriving from West Africa were originally Muslim or practiced native religions. All were forced to convert to Christianity after slavery was made legal in the American colonies in 1640.
Several Muslim Americans fought in the Revolutionary War, including Bampett Muhamad, Peter Salem, and Yusuf ben Ali.
President Thomas Jefferson kept a copy of and consulted the Qur'an and other texts in drafting the US Constitution. He was the first acting president to participate in an iftar (meal breaking the fast) during the holy month of Ramadan with the Ambassador of Tunisia in 1809.
The first country in the world to recognize the United States as a nation was a Muslim-majority country, the Sultanate of Morocco, in 1777.
During the civil rights movement in the United States, segments of African Americans seeking to reclaim their heritage began converting to Islam. Approximately 30% of the current African-American Islamic community in the US converted to Islam within the past seventy years.
The decline and eventual fall of the Ottoman Empire in the late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the first formal wave of Muslims to the United States who were not part of the slave trade. These men and women came predominantly from Syria, Palestine, Yemen, and Turkey. Due to their light skin tone, many changed their names before arriving and did not present as Muslim. They assimilated within white culture, practiced privately, and thus avoided many of the racist laws of the time.
After WWII, turbulence in India, the Middle East, and Persia (Iran), the establishment of Israel, and the rise in authoritarianism, especially after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, increased the number of Muslims seeking a new life in the United States. Beginning in 1990, the fall of the Soviet Union and both Gulf Wars further bolstered Muslim immigration to America.
The first mosque in the United States was created in 1921 outside of Detroit in the Highland Park neighborhood. The oldest standing mosque in the United States is the Al Sadiq Mosque in Chicago, Illinois, commissioned in 1922.
Today, Muslim Americans are a vastly diverse group with
25% of African heritage
26% Arab/Caucasian/Persian
34% South Asian
15% other
Like Christianity, the faith has many different faces. Sunni, Shi'a, and Sufi are the primary divisions (Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox).
Islamic History Month in Canada and Muslim-American Heritage Month in the United States are an opportunity to get to know your Muslim neighbors and support them as part of the American dream. Islam entered the American experience before the Mayflower (1620), and it will continue to grow with the nation. By 2050, sociologists expect Islam to surpass Christianity as the most widely worshipped faith in the world.
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For more information on Muslim traditions and culture, please look at my spotlight on Hajj in the July 2022 issue and the Ramadan entry in A Whole lot'a Holy Part II.
NATIONAL HERITAGE WEEK
Date: October 16-22, 2023
Location: Jamaica
Champion: Historical Anniversary. National Observance.
National Heritage Week honors Jamaica's heroes, one per day, beginning with the first prime minister and a leader in its fight for independence in the early 20th century, Alexander Bustamante.
During this week, various activities are organized, including concerts, parades, awards ceremonies, lectures, and exhibitions that reflect and celebrate the unique Jamaican culture and history.
Schools, communities, and cultural organizations often participate in National Heritage Week, offering educational programs and events highlighting various aspects of Jamaican heritage, such as traditional music, dance, food, and folklore. The focus on heritage also encourages a greater understanding and appreciation of Jamaica's multicultural roots, including the influences of African, European, Indian, Chinese, and indigenous cultures.
National Heroes Day (Monday) is an official national holiday that occurs annually on the third Monday in October.
OCHI DAY
Date: October 28, [1940] 2023
Location: Greece
Champion: Historical Anniversary
"Ochi!", Greek for "No!" is what the Greeks told Mussolini and his fascist army when Italy tried to invade Greece on October 28, 1940—"Ochi, ochi, ochi, Senor Mussolini!"
The Greeks stood their ground and sent the Italians packing. Consider them the original Antifa (anti-fascists) and as the historical originators of democracy—it's apropos—notably since Mussolini coined the word "fascist" in 1919 to describe his political party.
However you swing it, Ochi Day is a national celebration and includes parades, tributes, and festivities throughout Greece.
HALLOWEEN
Date: October 31, 2023
Location: Worldwide
Champion: Tradition
Halloween is one of the most famous and celebrated holidays in the United States, Canada, and increasingly worldwide. Each year, on the eve of All Saint's Day, children and grown-ups dress up as mythical monsters, historical and pop-culture figures, superheroes, animals, and various beings. The ritual of trick-or-treating, knocking on the doors of neighbors dressed in costume, is a highly anticipated event and considered a right of passage in the United States. Essentially, neighbors provide a treat, usually candy, to avoid being the victim of a trick, ergo, "trick-or-treat."
Halloween is said to be the Catholic continuation of the ancient Celtic festival Samhain, a time when ghosts and other creatures of the night were supposed to roam the land. The holiday has been celebrated in one form or another since 834 BC.
Aside from dressing up, Halloween is a celebration of food and the harvest. Pumpkins, apples, cake, and nuts are part of the traditional Halloween table. Carving pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns to ward off evil spirits is another time-honored tradition. Happy Halloween!
MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS IN OCTOBER 2023
Asian Games (Multi-sport): September 23 - October 8 —China
Chicago Marathon (Running): October 8 —United States
National Wife Carrying Championships (Running, sort of): October 7 —United States
NRL Grand Final (Rugby): October 1 —Australia
Pan American Games (Multi-sport) October 20 - November 5 —Chile
World Championships (Artistic Gymnastics): September 30 - October 8 —Belgium
World Combat Games (Multi-sport): October 21-30 —Saudi Arabia
World Cup (Cricket): October 5 - November 19 —India
World Cup (Rugby): September 8 - October 28 —France
World Series (Baseball): October 27 - November 4 —United States
FEATURED SPORTS THEMED EVENTS
Great Cycle Challenge (Bicycling): October 1-31 —United States, Canada, Australia
National Chess Day: October 14 —United States
National Golf Month: October 1-31 —Australia
National Roller Skating Month: October 1-31 —United States
World Squash Day: October 18 —Worldwide
FEATURED EVENT
TUK TUK TOURNAMENT
Date: October 22-November 3, 2023
Location: Sri Lanka
Champion: Cornish McKeon Pty Ltd
This is one of the most ingenious events and a marketing program for a tourism start-up I've seen in a long time. It's fun and newsworthy. The event supports the local economy year-round, opens a new market (ex-pat tuk tuk rentals), has eco and cultural tourism aspects, and includes a scavenger hunt and competition. It checks all the boxes. It is brilliant.
Tuk Tuk Tournament is created by TuktukRental.com and supported by Redbull. It is an exciting 13-day "Amazing Race" style journey filled with adventure and exploration featuring a treasure hunt across the diverse landscapes of Sri Lanka. The search culminates in a thrilling race to the finish line, where teams compete for a coveted trophy. The Tuk Tuk Tournament is an event and an adventure travel experience where non-professional athletes and explorers pay to be on teams.
The tournament, which features 80 teams from around the globe (team entries sell out 12-18 months early) with two or three participants each, promises a blend of quests and challenges that will take competitors off the beaten path. Participants explore lesser-known attractions, offering them a unique perspective of Sri Lanka's rich cultural and geographical diversity.
The route guides participants through villages, cities, beaches, waterfalls, monasteries, and surf spots. It also leads them through winding roads, rice mills, tea plantations, and mountain tops, providing stunning views at every turn.
The tournament offers an array of experiences designed to immerse participants in the local culture. Stays in local homes, farm visits, tractor rides, and even beach clean-ups are included in the itinerary. Participants assist artisans in creating masterpieces, ensuring a well-rounded and enriching experience.
Tuk Tuk Tournament is a unique blend of adventure, culture, philanthropy, learning, and exploration, allowing participants to experience Sri Lanka uniquely. Whether for the thrill of the hunt, the lure of adventure, or the beauty of Sri Lanka, this tournament promises an unforgettable experience.
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Thank you again for the gift of your time!
The next issue will focus on November, followed by a special edition about fantastic music festivals. Please like and share; if you're not a subscriber, please join us by subscribing!
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