In most parts of the United States, trees have already lost their leaves. However, where I live we often see the peak of fall colors in November. Daylight Saving Time ends and nights come early. But what else can we learn about our eleventh month?
November, the ninth month in the ancient Roman calendar, gets its name from the Latin word novem, meaning nine.
“November comes, and November goes. With last red berries, and the first white snows.” ~Elizabeth Coatsworth
A bit of November trivia:
- Topaz is the November birthstone
- The chrysanthemum is the month’s flower
- On November 2, 1769 a Spanish expedition reached San Francisco Bay
- Mission San Juan Capistrano was founded in California on November 1, 1776. San Juan Capistrano is known for the swallows that nest there. Each year swallows leave their nests at the mission around St. John’s Day on October 23 and return around the time of St. Joseph’s day on March 19.
- Rutgers and Princeton Universities played the first intercollegiate football game in the US on November 6, 1869.
- World War I ended on November 11, 1918 with the signing of the Armistice agreement between the Allied and Central powers. The agreement went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
- November is Peanut Butter Lovers Month, National Sleep Comfort Month, and Aviation History Month
- In the United States, we celebrate Veterans Day on November 11. Thanksgiving Day occurs on the fourth Thursday of the month (this year on November 26).
- Six states joined the Union during the month of November. North Carolina (by ratification) in 1789, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Washington in 1889, and in 1907 Oklahoma became the first state admitted in the 20th century.
- Famous people born in November include actor Matthew McConaughey, singer Glenn Frey of the Eagles, novelist Margaret Mitchell, folk singer Mary Travers of Peter, Paul, and Mary, painter Georgia O’Keeffe, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, and author C S Lewis.
Many people flock to stores on shopping malls on the day after Thanksgiving. What about you? Do you shop or prefer to spend time at home with family?
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7 Responses
I enjoy November. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, family, food and football, what could be bad. It’s when I start playing Christmas music, and my parents and my daughter/son-in-law both celebrate their anniversaries on Veteran’s Day.
The weather is iffy at best here in Western Pennsylvania, but I am the strange one in the family, I really don’t mind the cold or the snow.
Years ago, I enjoyed going out shopping on Black Friday, now, I prefer to stay home. We (meaning me) generally decorate the inside of our home for Christmas rather than fight the crowds.
I love November. We have a late fall season and the colors on our trees are the most brilliant this month. I don’t do Black Friday. There’s nothing I need that bad. Usually my husband and I take an after Thanksgiving trip. Last year we went to Dallas for the day on Amtrak.
And I do love Thanksgiving!
Thank you for sharing your November Trivia. I love the Fall season and look forward to the holidays.
I also love this time of the year, Barbie. Thanks for stopping by!
I know people who love to shop on Black Friday. I am not one of them! I enjoy the quiet aftermath of Turkey Day, and usually, my jeans don’t fit that day so I couldn’t go out shopping anyway!! HA!
Interesting facts about November. We used to live by San Juan Capistrano, and the mission is quite interesting. It amazes me how the swallows know just where to come each year.
GOD BLESS!
I don’t shop that day, either, Sharon! In fact, I don’t like to shop at all so I buy a lot of stuff on line. The past few years, my husband and I have taken a short trip the day after Thanksgiving and plan to do that again this year.
Thanks for stopping by and Happy Thanksgiving!
Hello Joan,
I had no idea the month of November had so much history. Tomorrow, the day after Thanksgiving there is one store I want to go to. Everything is 50% off, and I had a large purchase I need to buy.
I hope you have a nice trip this weekend.
Sending hugs and leftover turkey.
xo
Pamela