Autumn typically spans around 90 days. Most years, it begins on 23rd September and ends on 22nd December. In between, we have October and November, making the midpoint approximately 8th November. Summer precedes autumn, which peaks as winter begins. The word “autumn” is derived from Latin and French origins, with meanings such as “of the woods” or “fall season”. Around the 14th century, it replaced the Old English term “harvest”.

Religious observances are abundant during the autumn months. In most years, the Jewish holidays Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur fall in late September and early October. Rosh Hashanah is a festive time when family and friends gather for meals and worship, marking the Jewish New Year and the start of ten days of reflection, culminating with Yom Kippur, the “Day of Atonement”.

Mawlid, in the Muslim faith, commemorates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. This time is considered among the holiest days in the Muslim calendar, often occurring in early October. It is marked by prayers, acts of charity, and celebrations with loved ones. For Hindus, Diwali is celebrated in late October or early November. Lasting five days, it begins two days before the new moon and ends two days after. Diwali is regarded as the start of the new year for those who observe it. One commonality across all three religions is the symbolic use of lights.

Autumn also hosts major and minor holidays and events in the United States. The season begins with the autumnal equinox on the 22nd or 23rd of September, a time when the Earth’s axis is neither tilted towards nor away from the sun, resulting in nearly equal daylight and darkness worldwide. October brings Columbus Day, commemorating Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the Americas on 12th October 1492, now observed on the second Monday of October.

Halloween, also known as All Hallows’ Eve, is celebrated on 31st October, the night before the Western Christian observance of All Saints’ Day. In modern times, Halloween has become a festive occasion marked by horror themes, often associated with the macabre and supernatural. All Saints’ Day, celebrated on 1st November, honours all the saints of the Church, both known and unknown.

In the United States, Election Day is held on the Tuesday following the first Monday of November, falling between 2nd and 8th November. This date is reserved for general elections of federal public officials, in accordance with US law.

As mentioned, 8th November is the midpoint of autumn, and by this time, the leaves around where I live have already changed colours, with many turning red, orange, or yellow. After a few more windy or rainy days, the leaves will likely fall completely, marking autumn’s full arrival and signalling that winter is not far off. Personally, I would prefer winter to come and go quickly, never to return.

On 11th November, the US observes Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day. This holiday honours military veterans who have served in the US Armed Forces under conditions other than dishonourable discharge. It coincides with Armistice Day and Remembrance Day in other countries, marking the anniversary of the end of major hostilities in World War I, which officially ceased at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.

Autumn is also a pivotal time for sports. In October, Major League Baseball enters its postseason, culminating in the “Fall Classic”, also known as the World Series. Meanwhile, American football, which begins in early September, plays most of its season during autumn. Hockey’s National Hockey League (NHL) starts its season in mid-October, with teams competing for the Stanley Cup, a championship that hasn’t been won by a Canadian team since 1993. The National Basketball Association (NBA) also kicks off its season in late October, with both hockey and basketball extending their playoffs into April or May.

Later in November, on the fourth Thursday, Americans celebrate Thanksgiving. For some, this is also a National Day of Mourning, though the exact dates and traditions may vary by region. 22nd November marks the anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, a day remembered as a turning point in U.S. history, often seen as the end of the “Camelot” era.

Although Chanukah, or the “Festival of Lights,” is commonly regarded as a winter holiday, it often falls in late November or early December, making it part of autumn in some years. The holiday, commemorating the miracle of the oil that burned for eight nights instead of one, involves lighting a menorah with nine candles, with the shamash used to light the others.

On 7th December 1941, just before 8am local time, the Imperial Japanese Navy launched a surprise attack on the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. This event led to the US formally entering World War II. The following day, President Franklin D. Roosevelt famously addressed Congress, stating that “7th December 1941, is a date which will live in infamy.”

Autumn signifies the transition from summer to winter, with shorter days, cooler temperatures, and changing foliage. In the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in regions like the northern US, the vibrant colours of fall are a spectacle. Wherever you live, autumn offers a unique opportunity to appreciate this season of transition.

Howard Diamond is a certified peer specialist from Long Island, New York.