Usher's Birthday is the annual occasion used to mark the birthday of the American singer, songwriter and performer Usher Raymond IV, one of the most recognisable names in modern R&B and pop.

World Standards Day is observed every year on 14 October to recognise the work of the thousands of experts who develop and maintain international standards.

Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne was first published in 1926, and that date marks the beginning of one of the most enduring partnerships in children’s literature: a thoughtful, gently comic writer and a much-loved bear from the Hundred Acre Wood.

The Battle of Hastings Anniversary marks the date of one of the most famous turning points in English history, fought on 14 October 1066.

National Face Your Fears Day is a light-hearted observance that encourages people to do something braver than they feel like doing, whether that means tackling a small worry or finally dealing with a long-put-off challenge.

National Yorkshire Pudding Day is a playful food observance that gives one of Britain’s best-loved roast dinner staples its moment in the spotlight.

National Train Your Brain Day is a light-hearted observance that puts the spotlight on mental exercise, curiosity and the simple idea that the brain likes a workout too.

Sacha Baron Cohen’s Birthday is a fun observance for fans of British comedy and satirical performance. It marks the birth of Sacha Baron Cohen, the award-winning actor, writer and comedian born on 13 October 1971, and is often noted by people who follow film, television and modern British…

International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is marked each year on 13 October as a global awareness day focused on reducing the damage caused by floods, storms, wildfires, earthquakes, drought and other hazards.

King Philip IV of France orders the arrest of the Knights Templar on 13 October 1307, a dramatic turning point in medieval European history.

National Freethought Day is observed each year on 12 October, and it is a day that celebrates free inquiry, independent thinking and the right to question ideas without fear.

National Cookbook Launch Day is a light-hearted food-themed observance that celebrates the excitement of releasing a new cookbook and all the cooking inspiration that comes with it.

National Farmer’s Day is a light-hearted observance that puts the spotlight on the people who grow the food, rear the livestock and keep rural life ticking over.

National Gumbo Day is a fun food-focused observance that gives a well-loved Louisiana classic its moment in the spotlight.

Hugh Jackman’s birthday is a date that film fans, theatre lovers and musical audiences alike often notice, because it marks the birth of one of the most versatile performers of his generation.

Christopher Columbus’s expedition reaching the Americas in 1492 is one of the most widely discussed turning points in world history. It refers to the moment when Columbus, sailing under the Spanish crown, landed in the Caribbean on 12 October 1492 after weeks at sea from Spain.

National It's My Party Day is a playful unofficial observance that gives people permission to put themselves first for a little while. It usually falls on 3 June each year, and it has the feel of a cheerful made-up holiday rather than a formal national day.

National Sausage Pizza Day is a light-hearted food observance that celebrates one of the most familiar and widely loved pizza toppings. It falls on 11 October each year, giving pizza fans a handy excuse to tuck into a slice piled with sausage, melted cheese and a good tomato base.

National Coming Out Day is observed every year on 11 October, and it’s a day that encourages LGBTQ+ people to be open about their identities if, when, and how they choose. It is not a public holiday, and it is certainly not a rule that everyone has to come out on this date.

Cardi B’s birthday is recognised by fans as a moment to celebrate one of the most distinctive stars in contemporary music.

International Day of the Girl Child is observed every year on 11 October and draws attention to the rights, hopes and challenges faced by girls around the world.

The opening of the Second Vatican Council in 1962 marks one of the most important moments in modern Catholic history. Held on 11 October 1962 and convened by Pope John XXIII, the council brought bishops, theologians and church leaders from around the world to St Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

National Handbag Day is a light-hearted observance that celebrates one of the most useful and style-driven accessories in everyday life.

National Cake Decorating Day is a cheerful, unofficial food-themed observance that gives bakers and cake lovers an excuse to get creative with icing, sprinkles, fondant and a little bit of edible flair.

National Angel Food Cake Day is a playful food observance devoted to one of the lightest, fluffiest desserts around. It falls on 10 October each year, giving cake lovers a cheerful excuse to make, buy, or slice into a cloud-like sponge topped with fruit, cream, or a drizzle of sauce.

Mario Lopez’s birthday is observed by fans of film, television, and pop culture as a chance to recognise the career of one of America’s best-known entertainers.

World Mental Health Day is observed every year on 10 October and shines a light on mental health as a vital part of overall wellbeing.

The Xinhai Revolution began in China in 1911, marking a turning point in modern Chinese history. It is remembered as the uprising that helped bring down the Qing dynasty, the last imperial dynasty of China, and opened the way for the birth of the Republic of China.

National Fire Prevention Day in the US is a safety-themed observance that gets people thinking about one very practical thing: how to stop a small fire from turning into a big emergency.

National Moldy Cheese Day is a light-hearted food observance that gives cheese lovers a playful excuse to celebrate the stronger, funkier end of the dairy world.

National Curried Chicken Day is one of those cheerful food-themed observances that gives people a perfectly good excuse to put a fragrant, spice-filled dinner on the table.

John Lennon’s Birthday is observed each year on 9 October, marking the birth of one of the most influential musicians and cultural figures of the 20th century.

World Post Day is observed every year on 9 October and marks the vital role that postal services play in everyday life.

Leif Erikson is traditionally believed to have reached North America around 1000 AD, making him one of the earliest known Europeans to set foot in the continent, centuries before Christopher Columbus.

National Emergency Nurses Day is a chance to recognise the nurses who work on the front line of urgent care, from emergency departments and minor injury units to ambulance handovers and resuscitation teams.

National American Touch Tag Day is a playful observance built around one of childhood’s simplest games. It is usually marked on 13 September, giving people an excuse to step outside, get moving and enjoy a few rounds of touch tag with friends, family or classmates.

National Pierogi Day is a cheerful food-based observance celebrating one of Central and Eastern Europe’s most beloved comfort foods.

National Fluffernutter Day is a light-hearted food observance devoted to one of the more nostalgic American sandwich combinations: peanut butter and marshmallow fluff.

Bruno Mars’s birthday is observed each year on 8 October, marking the arrival of one of pop’s most recognisable modern performers.

The Great Chicago Fire began on 8 October 1871, when a devastating blaze swept through Chicago and changed the city forever.

National Chocolate Covered Insect Day is one of those wonderfully odd modern observances that exists mainly to make people grin, squirm, and perhaps try something they never expected to eat.

National Universal Music Day is an informal observance that gives music lovers a perfect excuse to press play, turn it up and celebrate the joy that music brings to everyday life.

National Frappe Day is a light-hearted food and drink observance that celebrates the chilled, blended coffee treat many people reach for when they want something sweet, creamy and a little more indulgent than an ordinary iced coffee.

Simon Cowell’s birthday is a date that fans of pop music, reality television and modern British entertainment often notice because of the huge influence he has had on the industry.

The Battle of Lepanto is remembered as one of the most important naval engagements in European history, fought on 7 October 1571 off the coast of western Greece.

National Physician Assistant Day is a light-hearted observance that recognises the important work of physician assistants, the healthcare professionals who help diagnose illness, treat patients, and keep busy clinics and hospitals running smoothly.

National German-American Day is observed on 6 October each year, and it is one of those cheerful observance days that celebrates heritage rather than marking a formal public holiday.

National Noodle Day is a light-hearted food observance that gives pasta lovers, takeaway fans and home cooks a good excuse to celebrate one of the world’s most comforting staples.

National Mad Hatter Day is a light-hearted observance that gives people an excuse to be a little silly, a little offbeat, and perhaps a touch more imaginative than usual.

Britt Ekland's Birthday is a date for celebrating one of the most recognisable Swedish-born stars of film and television. It is observed on 6 October, the day actress and singer Britt Ekland was born in 1942.