Halloween might be the first thing to jump into your head when someone says, ’31 October,’ but it’s also an important day for a number of other reasons. (And if it happens to be your birthday, well that’s just swell).
Reformation Day
On this day in 1517, Martin Luther, the Protestant Reformer, wrote to Albrecht, Archbishop of Mainz and Magdeburg, protesting against the sale of indulgences. He included in his letter a copy of his ‘Disputation of Martin Luther on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences’, which later became known as The 95 Theses. This act is seen as kicking off the religious Reformation. 31 October became known as Reformation Day and was marked as a lesser festival by the Lutheran Church. It is a holiday in some German states, as well as in Slovenia and Chile.
National UNICEF Day
National UNICEF Day wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Halloween. It started in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1950 as a fundraising activity where children collected small change which was then donated to UNICEF. The idea grew from a small group of children to one that was actively promoted by UNICEF. By the 1960s the concept had expanded across the US, and in 1967 President Lyndon B Johnson declared 31 October to be UNICEF Day in the USA. See? It’s not all about chocolates and lollies.
Nevada Day
Ok. If you don’t live in Nevada, this won’t be important to you at all. But, in the interest of expanding our horizons, I’ll tell you that 31 October commemorates the day that Nevada was accepted into the union in 1864. It became a public state holiday in 1933. So if you’re visiting Nevada on 31 October, government offices will be closed.
However you celebrate 31 October, why not treat yourself to a copy of my book Beckoning Blood. It’s a gripping, blood-drenched saga about twin vampire brothers, the men they love and the enduring truth that true love never dies – no matter how many times you kill it.
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