Quick Facts: November is the 11th month and has 30 days. The name comes from the Latin novem, meaning “nine”. November birthstones are topaz and citrine. The flower is a chrysanthemum. In the 2025 sky you will see the Beaver Moon on Nov 5 and Leonids around Nov 16-17. Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, November 2nd.
- Month #: 11; Days: 30
- Birthstone: Topaz & Citrine
- Flower: Chrysanthemum
- Zodiac: Scorpio (Oct 24 – Nov 21), Sagittarius (Nov 22 – Dec 21)
Why is it called “November”?
The early Roman calendar had 10 months, and started in March. This made November the 9th month. Fitting for the name “novem” meaning nine. After the calendar changed, the name stayed. You can see the same pattern with September (7), October (8), and December (10) too!
November is typically considered the final month of autumn in the northern hemisphere, however, during this time, several regions across the country start experiencing lower temperatures and even snowfall.
Daylight Savings Time
As the majority of the U.S. sets their clocks back by an hour and concludes Daylight Saving Time on the first Sunday of November. This was changed from the 2nd Sunday of November in 2007. Daylight hours tend to decrease. In addition, November is known as the month of food, with skilled chefs showcasing their talents and food enthusiasts enjoying an abundance of dishes before the onset of winter.
Below are some additional intriguing facts about the eleventh month of the year.
November Symbols:
There are a few distinct emblems for each month of the year. Each month has a birthstone that goes with it, astrological signs based on a birth month, along with a monthly flower.
According to the month you were born, these are all based. With your children, enjoy the month of November and teach them interesting facts about holidays, flowers, and birthstones.
November Birthstone:
The birthstone for November is topaz, a semi-precious gem that represents friendship and can be found in various hues, though the orange-yellow variant is the conventional choice.
Additionally, citrine, a type of quartz crystal that ranges in color from yellow to orange, is also considered a November birthstone.
Citrine is often confused with the orange-yellow topaz, which is more costly compared to citrine.
November Flower
November’s flower is the chrysanthemum, which is also known as the “golden flower” due to its Greek roots. Chrysanthemums are often associated with honesty, joy, and optimism.
November Zodiac signs
Scorpio and Sagittarius are the November zodiac signs in astrology.
The astrological sign of Scorpio is in effect from October 23 through November 21 , while Sagittarius is in effect from November 22 to December 21
November Fun Facts
The Origin of November’s Name in the Roman and Julian Calendars
November got its name from the ancient Roman calendar, as it was the ninth month in the calendar and was called “novem” in Latin.
Despite being moved to the eleventh spot in the Julian calendar, its name was never changed.
Shakespeare’s Works and the Absence of November Mention
The renowned playwright, Shakespeare, wrote a total of 37 plays and 154 sonnets in the English language.
He did not, however, make any mention of the month of November in any of his writings.
This intriguing fact leaves one to wonder about the significance or reasoning behind the absence of November’s mention in his works.
Movember: A Fun-Filled Charity Event in November
Every year in November, an amusing fundraising event takes place in different parts of the world such as Australia, the US, and England, called Movember.
The concept behind this event is to collect funds for charity by growing mustaches. Participants are required to shave on November 1 and grow a mustache for the remainder of the month.
The resulting hilarity serves as an inspiration for others to contribute to the cause.
November: A Month of Various Celebrations and Events
November marks the official month for banana pudding enthusiasts, but for those who aren’t fond of this dessert, there are several other occasions to commemorate during this month. November is celebrated in the US as National Novel Writing Month, National Pomegranate Month, National Adoption Month, and many more occasions.
Throughout November, there is something to enjoy for everyone thanks to the many celebrations and activities that take place throughout the month.
The Beaver Moon Tradition During November’s Full Moon in the US
In the US, November’s full moon is called the Beaver Moon.
As beaver hunters would place their beaver traps for the final time before the lakes and water sources they dwelt in froze over, the tradition dates back to North America’s early colonial era.
The Month of Memes and Surprises
According to social media statistics, November is the month when the highest number of memes are posted and shared on the internet.
Interestingly, in November 2016, Donald Trump, who was one of the most popular memes of the year, won the US Presidential election held during that month, adding a surprising twist to the month of memes.
A Shopaholic’s Dream Month
November is considered an auspicious month for shopping across the world. It kicks off with Alibaba’s Singles’ Day sale on November 11th, followed by Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, making it a dream month for shopaholics.
The AliExpress Sale offers crazy deals and discounts that you wouldn’t want to miss out on.
November in Anglo-Saxon culture: Wind and Blood Month
In their culture, the Anglo-Saxons gave November two names that were appropriate.
The term “Wind Monath,” which translates to “wind month,” stood for the icy winds that chill people to the bone in the northern hemisphere at this time of year. Also known as “Blod Monath,” this term described the month of November when cows were killed to provide sustenance for the long winter.
The Tragic Mass Suicide of the People’s Temple in Jonestown, Guyana
Reverend Jim Jones led nearly 900 members of the People’s Temple cult to commit mass suicide in Jonestown, Guyana, on November 19, 1978.
The largest collective suicide in history, they drank a beverage laced with cyanide, and those who objected were forced to drink it.
Assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963
On November 22, 1963, while riding in a motorcade with his wife, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Despite being rushed to a hospital, he was pronounced dead at 1 o’clock.
Kennedy’s assassination marked the fourth time an American president had been killed.
Thanksgiving – A Celebratory Day in November
Thanksgiving is a long-standing tradition in the US and is observed on the fourth Thursday in November.
The first Thanksgiving marked the bountiful harvest of the Pilgrims of Plymouth and New England, and it continues to be celebrated today with families gathering to share a large feast of traditional foods available during the month of November.
The Famous November Birthdays
Throughout history, many significant and prominent individuals have been born in the month of November.
Among them are notable figures such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Twain, Winston Churchill, Scarlett Johansson, and Kurt Vonnegut.
November is Considered the Best Month for Expressing Love in Spain
The best month to express love in Spain is revealed to be November, according to recent research.
The study shows that during this month, most Spaniards are inclined to tweet “Te amo,” the Spanish translation of “I love you.”
The Importance of November 19th: The Gettysburg Address by President Abraham Lincoln
On November 19, 1863, during the dedication of the National Cemetery near the scene of the Gettysburg conflict, President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address.
Despite being just two minutes long, the speech encapsulated the essential tenets of democracy.
Notably, Lincoln was battling a mild case of smallpox during the speech, which left him looking pale and exhausted.
November activities for Kids:
Discover a compilation of enjoyable and straightforward November activities suitable for kids!
Engage with your child in creating crafts, reading books, and participating in activities that commemorate and educate about the diverse holidays in November, all of which are enjoyable and simple to prepare.
Pom Pom Art: A Fun and Easy Activity for Kids
This incredibly easy activity requires only a few pom poms. Allow children to spend some time sorting them according to color.
You may also talk about the various hues in your collection.
After the pom poms have been sorted by colour, encourage the kids to engage in some art creation using the pom poms. Observe and appreciate the unique pom pom artwork they create!
Farm Animal Guessing Game
Engage children in a farm animal guessing game by asking them to choose an animal to act out, then take turns guessing which animal it is.
For toddlers and young preschoolers, incorporate animal sounds as clues. Remove all sound effects to make it more challenging for older kids.
Health and Nutrition through Thanksgiving Meal Planning and Cooking
Incorporate lessons on health and nutrition by initiating discussions on making healthy food choices and the various food groups.
Collaborate with your children to plan a nutritious Thanksgiving feast or explore a new recipe together, which can be shared with loved ones on Thanksgiving Day.
Teaching Gratitude and Kindness: Turning Thankfulness into Acts of Giving
Take some time to brainstorm with your children about the things that they are most thankful for.
Use these ideas as a basis for performing acts of kindness in your community. For example, if your child is grateful for food, consider delivering food to a local food drive.
If they are thankful for warmth, you could donate socks or blankets to a nearby shelter.
Goldilocks Sorting Activity: Learning Sizes and Categorization
Collect various items and articles of clothing, including some that are too small, too big, and some that are just the right size.
After retelling the story of Goldilocks, explore the items and categorize them into groups of too small, too big, and just right.
Conclusion:
November is a unique month that straddles the line between autumn and winter, with the latter already feeling like it’s been here for a while.
Despite this, November remains an eagerly anticipated month for many, signifying the end of the current calendar year, and offering an array of enjoyable events such as famous birthdays, fun trivia, holidays, and exciting shopping opportunities for all.
