November Is the 11th Month of the Year
November is the last month of fall in the northern half of the world. In the southern half, it is the last month of spring.
November’s birth flower is the chrysanthemum.
©bigstockphoto.com/basel101658
November is the eleventh month in the Gregorian calendar and has 30 days. It is the last month of fall in the Northern Hemisphere.
Why Is November Not the Ninth Month?
The meaning of November comes from Novem, the Latin word for nine. The old Roman calendar started in March, making November the ninth month. When the Roman senate changed the calendar in 153 BCE, the new year started in January, and November became the eleventh month.
DST ends in USA and Canada
The Daylight Saving Time (DST) season ends in USA, Canada, and northern Mexico. On the first Sunday of November, the clocks will be set back 1 hour from 02:00 (2 am) to 01:00 (1 am) in most US states. In Europe and many other countries, the clocks are set back in October.
Astronomical Events in November 2024
Leonid Meteor Shower: The Leonid shooting stars are visible between November 6 and 30. The shower usually peaks on the night of November 17 and early morning of November 18 with up to 15 meteors per hour.
Beaver Moon: November’s Full Moon is traditionally called a Beaver Moon, after beavers that build their dams during this time of the year.
See all events in the Cosmic Calendar
The Leonid shooting stars seem to be coming from the star sign Leo or Lion.
History of November
In the old Roman calendar, November was called mensis november, the ninth month, because the Roman calendar started in March. November initially had 29 days.
In 154 BCE, a rebellion forced the Roman senate to change the beginning of the civil year from March to January 1st. With this reform, November officially became the eleventh month in the year 153 BCE.
In the year 46 BCE, Julius Caesar introduced a new calendar system—the Julian calendar. He added ten days to the year and introduced the leap day. In the new Julian calendar, November was expanded to 30 days.
Historical Events in November
November 3, 1957: The Soviet Union sent the first living creature into orbit: the dog Laika (Russian for “yapper”). Laika was aboard the Sputnik II, the second Soviet satellite to go into orbit around the Earth—almost exactly one month after the Sputnik I on October 4, 1957.
November 5, 1605: The British soldier Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the English House of Lords in London to overthrow King James I and restore the Catholic Monarchy. He failed. November 5th is Guy Fawkes Day and observed all over the United Kingdom to remember the Gunpowder Treason.
Postage stamp from Mongolia—showing Laika, the first creature to orbit Earth.
© iStockphoto.com/fcdb
November Birthstone and Birth Flowers
According to tradition, the birthstone for November is the yellow topaz, symbolizing friendship. Its birth flower is the chrysanthemum.
Zodiac Signs in November
- Scorpio (Scorpion): October 23 – November 22
- Sagittarius (Archer): November 23 – December 22