November is the eleventh month of the year. As soon as Halloween is over on October 31, November comes in as people get ready for Holidays at the end of the year. There are some interesting things about the month. For instance, November comes with a religious holiday, and there are some other celebrations during the month. November has been designated as National Diabetes Month, National Hospice Month, and National Military Family Month in addition to other things that people are not aware of.

A transitional month

November is that transitional month that comes between fall and winter.

By then, most leaves have fallen off trees, and football becomes the main sport of the month. Those who were born in November probably know their birthstone is the topaz and their flower is the chrysanthemum. Their zodiac sign depends on the date they were born in the month. It could be either Scorpio for people born between from October 23 to November 21, or Sagittarius for those born between November 22 and December 21.

Days to observe

All Saints' Day is celebrated on November 1 when Christians celebrate and pay tribute to those deceased saints and martyrs who have gone before them. It is the time for Anglicans, Roman Catholics, and other Christians to spend the day cleaning off the graves of loved ones and leaving flowers.

November 2 is the All Souls Day, when people pray for God's mercy on their souls.

Election Day comes on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Even though a presidential election comes only every four years, there are other elections throughout the years for local and state positions. Veterans Day is on November 11.

That date this year is on a Saturday; therefore, the federal holiday will be observed on Friday, November 10. Banks and government offices will be closed so people can honor those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. The rule is that if Veterans Day falls on a Saturday, it is celebrated on the Friday before. If it falls on a Sunday, then it will be observed on the Monday afterward.

Of course, everyone knows that Thanksgiving Day is always on the fourth Thursday in November no matter what date it is on. Thanksgiving this years falls on November 23. The day following Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday, when stores are opened long hours for people to shop for the big holiday coming up toward the end of December.

It is not a holiday, but people should know that Daylight Saving Time in most of the United States ends on Sunday, November 5 at 2 a.m. Therefore, people in every state except Arizona and Hawaii should turn their clocks back an hour.

As you come to the end of the calendar year, may your month be a special time for you as you enjoy all 30 days.
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