October 8th Is... (Includes Printable Freebies)

By Catherine Mcdiarmid-Watt @frugalfreebies
October 4th is... International Octopus Day, Alvin C. York Day, American Touch Tag Day, International Lesbian Day, National Fluffernutter Day, National Pierogi Day, Health-Sports Day in Japan, Bring Your Teddy Bear To Work Day, National Salmon Day, International Percy Jackson Day, Federation Day, Amerigo Vespucci Day, Children's Day (Iran), Fraternal Day (Alabama), Great Chicago Fire
MORE (2nd Monday): Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples' Day/Native American Day, National Online Banking Day/National Online Bank Day, National Kick Butt Day, Thanksgiving Day (Canada)
PLUS - interesting books to read and free printables, paper crafts, kid crafts, activities, and coloring pages.

International Octopus Day
-- Octopuses have some remarkable assets, including eight semi-autonomous arms, thousands of smart suckers, cold-adapted blue blood, three beating hearts, and eerily advanced intelligence. And they have been around for 300 million years—long before even the ancient T. rex emerged. Take a little time to remember these incredible eight-armed animals out in the oceans, quietly catching crabs, masquerading as other animals and occasionally even using tools. Source
Read: Octopus: The Ocean's Intelligent Invertebrate
-- In this beautifully photographed book, three leading marine biologists bring readers face to face with these amazingly complex animals which have fascinated scientists for decades. From the molluscan ancestry of today's octopus to its ingenious anatomy, amazing mating, and predatory behaviors, and other-worldly relatives, the authors take readers through the astounding life cycle, uncovering the details of distinctive octopus personalities. With personal narratives, underwater research, stunning close-up photography, and thoughtful guidance for keeping octopuses in captivity.
Steampunk Octopus Collectible Figurine -- Would look really cool in a bathroom, especially with a Beware of Octopus sign. Makes an obscure statement... be prepared for questions!
Ooey Gooey Octopus -- Large Stretchy Jiggly Figurine Feels Great In Your Hand. Doesn't Get Your Hands Dirty, Filled With Non-Toxic Rubbery Goo.
Great For Manipulation And Tactile Exploration. Perfect For Gifts, Party Favors, Stocking Stuffers, Special Needs Therapy and So Much More!
Octopus Cup -- These adorable handmade cups celebrate creatures of the sea and include some of our most popular designs! Hidden by your drink of choice, these creatures of the deep reveal themselves as you sip.
Octopus Coloring Books
Free Printables, Coloring Pages, Activities and Crafts:
• Octopus Printables
10 Cute Octopus Coloring Pages Your Toddler Will Love to Color
Octopus Cheerio Project
Octopuses Printables and Activities
Peg Dolls and Cardboard Sea Creatures
• Free Sea Animals Do a Dot Printables
• Octopus Papercraft
Doctor Octopus Papercraft
Easy DIY Dog Toy: The Octopus
Momo The Octopus Arigurumi
• Super Cute and Easy Octopus Cupcakes
Octopus Hat | Free Pattern


Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work Day
- Bring your teddy bear from home and put it on your desk. This is a fun way to improve morale and have some fun at work.
American Touch Tag Day
- celebrating the joy of playing Touch Tag. Teach a child about the many ways this game can be played.
Health-Sports Day in Japan
- commemorates the opening of the 1964 Summer Olympics being held in Tokyo, and exists to promote sports and an active lifestyle.
Alvin C. York Day
- While in the Argonne Forest, France, and separated from his patrol, Sergeant Alvin C. York killed 20 enemy soldiers and captured a hill, 132 enemy soldiers and 35 machine guns. He was awarded the US Medal of Honor and French Croix de Guerre.
Great Chicago Fire
- On October 8, 1871, at around 9pm on a Sunday evening, a fire began in a barn outside Chicago, owned by Mrs. Katherine O'Leary. Driven by a strong wind out of the southwest, the flames headed straight for the center of the city, with branches of flame shooting in several directions.
National Pierogy Day
- Commemorates the day in 1952 when pierogies were first delivered to a grocery store in Shenandoah, PA—marking the emergence of the traditional Eastern European food as a mainstream American meal staple.
National Fluffernutter Day
- Everybody knows about the popular sandwich everyone ate as a kid. When did you last eat one? Well, today go ahead and make a sandwich and remember your childhood.