October: An interesting history behind its name!

Have you ever wondered why October is called October? Its name comes from the Latin octo, which means eight, but why would October mean eight if it’s the tenth month?

To answer this question, we need to remember that many of the languages ​​we know today, such as English and Spanish, are influenced by others like Latin, so it's common for many of the words we used to be influenced by Latin.

In the time of Ancient Rome, the calendar consisted of only ten months, which began in March. Because of this, some of the months were named after their position in the calendar. That is how October received its name--from the Latin octo, which means eight. Other examples include the month of September, whose name comes from the Latin septem, meaning seven; November, from novem, meaning nine; and December, from decem, meaning ten.

Later on, two more months were added: January and February. These months were introduced by Numa Pompilius, the second king of Rome, who placed them at the beginning of the calendar. January comes from the Latin Ianuarius, in honor of the god Janus, and February from Februarius, referring to the Roman festivals of purification for the city.

Over the years, the calendar was modified again, this time adding the remaining months and keeping the traditional names of the existing ones. This process gave rise to the calendar we use today.

However, October is now more than just the tenth month of the year. It has become a very active month for the community, with celebrations like Janal Pixan and Halloween, and the promotion of values such as respect, inclusion, and diversity. For many people, this month also represents the transition toward the end of the year, as in some places, it marks the beginning of autumn.

Did you know this curious fact about the month of October? Next time you look at the calendar, remember that this month holds a rich history behind its name, and it reflects how language and time are connected, as well as the evolution the calendar has undergone throughout history.

Photo taken from Un historiador

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