Holidays Today

 Events
Oct 122026
 
Columbus

Christopher Columbus

Columbus Day is celebrated today.  President Franklin Roosevelt made Columbus Day a national holiday in 1934. The holiday was modified in 1970 to be the second Monday in October.

Indigneous Peoples’ Day is also celebrated today. It honors the cultures, histories, and struggles of Indigenous People. It is recognized as a holiday in twenty states and numerous cities. Some people celebrate it instead of or in addition to Columbus Day.

Canada celebrates Thanksgiving Day today. The event is always celebrated on the second Monday in October.

Equatorial Guinea Celebrates Independence Day

 Events
Oct 122026
 
Equitorial Guinea

Flag of Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea celebrates Independence Day. It gained its independence from Spain in 1968. The country consists of a mainland portion of Africa and five islands. The country, slightly larger than the state of Maryland, exports cocoa beans and coffee. About 700,000 people live in Equatorial Guinea, and Malabo is the capital.

Iron Lung Was First Used in 1928

 Events
Oct 122026
 
Mass Use of Iron Lungs

Mass Use of Iron Lungs

Iron lung was used for the first time in 1928 in a Boston hospital. During the 1940’s and 1950’s, when polio outbreaks were at their worst, some children with polio could not breathe on their own. They were put into iron lungs, and the apparatus used negative pressure to help them breathe. Over 1,200 people needed to use an iron lung. In 1954 mass polio inoculations began to take place. Fewer and fewer people contracted polio, so the need for iron lungs decreased. Today the United States is just about polio-free. Also, newer inventions help people breathe easier and with more mobility. The iron lung is seldom used today.

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Oct 122026
 

Edward Bloor (born Trenton, New Jersey, 1950) has written at least sixteen books for children and young adults. He is also a playwright. His works include Tangerine and Crusader. Young adults can visit his website at: Edward Bloor.

Luciano Pavarotti (born Modena, Italy, 1935; died Modena, Italy, September 6, 2007) was an opera singer. Idea: Children could listen to a recording of his music.