Over 50 fun facts about November for your enjoyment!
To help you prepare, we’ve created this list of 50 fun facts about November, plus legends, traditions, celebrations, and much more!
Table of Contents
Fun Facts About November – About November
November is the eleventh month of the Gregorian calendar, which is the calendar system used in most of the world. It has 30 days and comes after October and before December. The name November comes from the Latin word “novem,” which means “nine,” because it was originally the ninth month of the Roman calendar before January and February were added.
In many parts of the world, November is a transitional month, marking the shift from autumn to winter. The weather can be variable, with some regions experiencing crisp, cool days while others may see the first snowfall of the season. In many cultures, November is associated with harvest festivals, gratitude, and remembrance, as well as holidays such as Thanksgiving and Remembrance Day.
Fun Facts About November – 50 Fun Facts
Here are 50 fun facts about November
- November was the ninth month in the ancient Roman calendar.
- The word “November” comes from the Latin word “novem,” which means “nine.”
- The birthstone for November is the topaz.
- The birth flower for November is the chrysanthemum.
- November is National Novel Writing Month, also known as NaNoWriMo.
- November 1 is All Saints’ Day, a Christian holiday.
- November 2 is All Souls’ Day, a day to remember and pray for the dead.
- In the United States, the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November is Election Day.
- In Canada, the second Monday in November is Remembrance Day.
- The United States celebrates Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday in November.
- The Canadian Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October.
- The 11th day of November is Veterans Day in the United States and Remembrance Day in Canada.
- November 14 is National Pickle Day.
- The American holiday of Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, falls in November.
- November 15 is National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day.
- The first-ever Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was held in November 1924.
- The coldest temperature ever recorded in the contiguous United States was -69.7 degrees Fahrenheit (-56.5 degrees Celsius) on November 24, 1985, in Rogers Pass, Montana.
- November 20 is National Absurdity Day.
- November 21 is National Stuffing Day.
- The term “Movember” was coined in November 2003 as a way to raise awareness for men’s health issues.
- November is National Diabetes Month in the United States.
- The first-ever American football game was played on November 6, 1869, between Princeton and Rutgers.
- The United States Marine Corps was founded on November 10, 1775.
- The Eiffel Tower opened in Paris, France, on November 15, 1889.
- November 24 is Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day.
- November 25 is National Parfait Day.
- The famous novel “Moby-Dick” by Herman Melville was first published on November 14, 1851.
- November 27 is National Electric Guitar Day.
- The first-ever American crossword puzzle was published on November 2, 1913, in the New York World newspaper.
- November 28 is Red Planet Day, a day to celebrate Mars.
- The Berlin Wall fell on November 9, 1989.
- November 29 is National Lemon Cream Pie Day.
- The first-ever McDonald’s restaurant opened in San Bernardino, California, on November 15, 1940.
- November 30 is National Mason Jar Day.
- The first-ever Sesame Street episode aired on November 10, 1969.
- The United States celebrates National Native American Heritage Month in November.
- The first-ever Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was held in New York City on November 1, 1995.
- November 18 is National Apple Cider Day.
- November 19 is National Play Monopoly Day.
- The first-ever episode of the TV show “The Simpsons” aired on November 14, 1989.
- The first-ever Rolling Stones concert took place on November 12, 1962, at the Marquee Club in London.
- November 3 is National Sandwich Day.
- November 4 is National Candy Day.
- November 5 is National Doughnut Day.
- November 5 is National Doughnut Day.
- November 7 is National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day.
- The famous novel “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald was first published on November 10, 1925.
- November 8 is National Cappuccino Day.
- The first-ever World Kindness Day was celebrated on November 13, 1998.
- November 17 is National Homemade Bread Day.
We hope you enjoyed these fun facts about November!
Fun Facts About November – 25+ Fun Facts for Kids
Here are 25+ fun facts about November that kids might enjoy:
- November is the eleventh month of the year.
- The name November comes from the Latin word “novem,” which means “nine.” It used to be the ninth month in the ancient Roman calendar.
- The birthstones for November are topaz and citrine.
- The birth flower for November is the chrysanthemum.
- In the United States, November is National Native American Heritage Month.
- November 1 is All Saints’ Day, a Christian holiday.
- November 2 is All Souls’ Day, a day to remember and pray for the dead.
- In the United States, the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November is Election Day.
- November 11 is Veterans Day, a day to honor those who have served in the military.
- The United States celebrates Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday in November.
- The first-ever Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was held in November 1924.
- November 14 is National Pickle Day.
- The American holiday of Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, falls in November.
- The first-ever American football game was played on November 6, 1869, between Princeton and Rutgers.
- The United States Marine Corps was founded on November 10, 1775.
- The Eiffel Tower opened in Paris, France, on November 15, 1889.
- November 17 is National Homemade Bread Day.
- November 20 is National Absurdity Day.
- November 21 is National Stuffing Day.
- The term “Movember” was coined in November 2003 as a way to raise awareness for men’s health issues.
- November is National Diabetes Month in the United States.
- November 22 is National Cranberry Relish Day.
- November 24 is Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day.
- November 25 is National Parfait Day.
- The famous novel “Moby-Dick” by Herman Melville was first published on November 14, 1851.
- November 27 is National Electric Guitar Day.
- The first-ever American crossword puzzle was published on November 2, 1913, in the New York World newspaper.
- November 28 is Red Planet Day, a day to celebrate Mars.
- The Berlin Wall fell on November 9, 1989.
- November 30 is National Mason Jar Day.
- November is a great time to see the fall leaves changing color.
- It’s also a good time to go apple picking and make apple cider.
- November is the start of the holiday season, with Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner.
- In some parts of the world, November is the start of the rainy season.
- November 3 is National Sandwich Day.
- November 4 is National Candy Day.
- November 5 is National Doughnut Day.
- November 7 is National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day.
- The famous novel “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald was first published on November 10, 1925.
- November 8 is National Cappuccino Day.
- The first-ever World Kindness Day was celebrated on November 13, 1998.
- November 15 is National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day.
- November 18 is National Apple Cider Day.
- November 19 is National Play Monopoly Day.
- The first-ever episode of the TV show “The Simpsons” aired on November 14, 1989.
We hope you enjoyed these fun facts about November!
Fun Facts About November – November Legends
In addition to the fun facts about November, there are a few legends and stories associated with November
- The Day of the Dead: In Mexico and other Latin American countries, the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd. It is a time when families gather to honor and remember their deceased loved ones with colorful altars, offerings of food and drink, and other traditions.
- Saint Martin’s Day: Saint Martin’s Day is a feast day celebrated on November 11th in several European countries, including Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The legend behind the holiday centers around Saint Martin, a Roman soldier who cut his cloak in half to give to a beggar on a cold winter night. That same night, he had a vision of Jesus wearing the half-cloak, which inspired him to leave the military and become a monk.
- The Wild Hunt: The Wild Hunt is a legend that originated in Germanic folklore and is associated with the month of November. It is said to be a procession of ghostly riders and hounds that sweep across the sky or through the countryside, led by a god or goddess such as Odin or Diana. The Wild Hunt is often seen as an omen of war, disaster, or death.
- Thanksgiving: In the United States, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. The holiday has its roots in the Pilgrims’ harvest feast in 1621, which they shared with the Wampanoag Native Americans. Today, Thanksgiving is a time for family gatherings, feasting, and expressing gratitude for the blessings of the past year.
- The Battle of Gettysburg: The Battle of Gettysburg, which took place from July 1st to 3rd, 1863, is one of the most famous battles of the American Civil War. However, it is often associated with the month of November because of President Abraham Lincoln’s famous Gettysburg Address, which he delivered on November 19th, 1863, at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
These are just a few examples of the many legends and traditions associated with the month of November.
About November – November Traditions
In addition to the fun facts about November, there are many traditions associated with November. Here are some of the most common ones:
- Thanksgiving: In the United States, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. It is a national holiday that originated as a harvest festival and is typically celebrated with a large meal, including roasted turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. It is also a time for family gatherings and expressing gratitude for blessings.
- Movember: Movember is a global movement that started in Australia and has spread to other countries, where men grow mustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health.
- Day of the Dead: In Mexico and other Latin American countries, the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd. It is a time when families gather to honor and remember their deceased loved ones with colorful altars, offerings of food and drink, and other traditions.
- Remembrance Day: Remembrance Day is observed on November 11th in many countries to honor the soldiers who died in World War I and other wars. In some countries, it is also called Armistice Day or Veterans Day.
- Black Friday: Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving and is considered the start of the Christmas shopping season in the United States. Many retailers offer sales and discounts, and it has become a popular shopping day for consumers.
- NaNoWriMo: NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) is an annual event that takes place in November, where participants aim to write a 50,000-word novel in 30 days.
These are just a few examples of the many traditions associated with the month of November.
About November – November Around the World
In addition to the fun facts about November, November is celebrated in different ways around the world, with various cultural and religious traditions. Here are some examples of how November is celebrated in different countries:
- United States: In the United States, November is best known for Thanksgiving, which is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of the month. Families gather for a big feast that usually includes roasted turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. The holiday is also associated with parades and football games.
- Canada: Canada also celebrates Thanksgiving, but it is observed on the second Monday of October, which is earlier than in the United States. In November, Canadians observe Remembrance Day on November 11th to honor the soldiers who have died in military service.
- Mexico: In Mexico and other Latin American countries, the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd. Families build altars to honor and remember their deceased loved ones, decorate them with candles, flowers, and offerings of food and drink, and participate in parades and festivals.
- Germany: In Germany, November 11th is celebrated as Saint Martin’s Day, which marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Children participate in lantern processions, and traditional foods include roast goose, potato dumplings, and red cabbage.
- India: In India, the festival of Diwali is celebrated in November, usually around the new moon day. Also known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is a Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil and is marked by lighting lamps, fireworks, and exchanging sweets.
These are just a few examples of how November is celebrated around the world, and there are many other regional and cultural traditions as well.
Fun Facts About November – November Symbols
In addition to the fun facts about November, there are several symbols associated with November. Here are some of the most common:
- Chrysanthemum: The chrysanthemum is the birth flower for November. It symbolizes cheerfulness, love, and friendship.
- Scorpio and Sagittarius: The zodiac signs for November are Scorpio (October 23 – November 21) and Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21).
- Topaz: Topaz is the birthstone for November, and it is believed to bring strength and intellect to the wearer.
- Turkey: The turkey is a symbol of Thanksgiving, which is celebrated in November in the United States. It is often featured in Thanksgiving decorations and advertisements.
- Poppy: The red poppy is a symbol of Remembrance Day, which is observed on November 11th in many countries to honor soldiers who have died in military service.
- Cornucopia: The cornucopia, also known as the horn of plenty, is a symbol of abundance and is often used in Thanksgiving decorations. It is usually depicted as a horn-shaped basket overflowing with fruits and vegetables.
These are just a few examples of the symbols associated with the month of November.
Fun Facts About November – Quotes
In addition to the fun facts about November, here are some famous quotes about November:
- “November is the month to remind us to be thankful for the many positive things happening in our life.” – Unknown
- “November – with uncanny witchery in its changed trees. With murky red sunsets flaming in smoky crimson behind the westering hills.” – L.M. Montgomery
- “It was November – the month of crimson sunsets, parting birds, deep, sad hymns of the sea, passionate wind-songs in the pines.” – L.M. Montgomery
- “November comes And November goes, With the last red berries And the first white snows.” – Clyde Watson
- “The last leaves of autumn are like the golden words of our life that will fade away as time goes by.” – Unknown
- “November always seemed to me the Norway of the year.” – Emily Dickinson
- “November is the pearl-grey month, the changeling between warm crimson October and cold white December, the month when the leaves fall in slow drifting whirls, and the shapes of the trees are revealed, when the earth imperceptibly wakes, and stretches her bare limbs and displays her stubborn unconquerable strength before she settles uneasily into winter.” – Anne Bosworth Greene
These are just a few examples of the many quotes about November.
We hope you enjoyed these fun facts about November!
Check out These Fun Facts for Other Holidays
President’s Day, Mardi Gras, Day Light Savings Day, St. Patrick’s Day, April Fools Day, Mother’s Day, Easter, Arbor Day, Cinco de Mayo, Memorial Day, D-Day, Juneteenth, Father’s Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Patriot Day, Columbus Day, Halloween, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, New Years Day, Groundhog Day
Check out These Fun Facts for Other Days and Dates
February, March, April, May, Tax Day, Year of the Rabbit, Winter Solstice, Summer Solstice, Spring Equinox, Fall Equinox, June, July, August, September, October, December
We hope you enjoyed these fun facts about November!