Reference articles on history, science, culture and more
Surprise meSurprise meSubscribe
Encyclopedia

November

Eleventh month in the Julian and Gregorian calendars

Wikipedia contributorsAdapted for Fathomly · View authors
7 min read
Source updated September 1, 2026
<< November >>
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
01020304050607
08091011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
2930  
2026

November is the 11th and penultimate month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. Its length is 30 days. November was the ninth month of the calendar of Romulus c. 750 BC. November retained its name (from the Latin novem meaning "nine") when January and February were added to the Roman calendar. November is a month of late spring in the Southern Hemisphere and late autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. Therefore, November in the Southern Hemisphere is the seasonal equivalent of May in the Northern Hemisphere and vice versa. In Ancient Rome, Ludi Plebeii was held from November 4-17, Epulum Jovis was held on November 13 and Brumalia celebrations began on November 24. These dates do not correspond to the modern Gregorian calendar.

November was referred to as Blōtmōnaþ by the Anglo-Saxons. Brumaire and Frimaire were the months on which November fell in the French Republican calendar.

01Astronomy

November meteor showers include the Andromedids, which occurs from September 25 to December 6 and generally peak around November 9-14, the Leonids, which occurs from November 15-20, the Alpha Monocerotids, which occurs from November 15-25 with the peak on November 21-22, the Northern Taurids, which occurs from October 20 to December 10, and the Southern Taurids, which occurs from September 10, November 20, and the Phoenicids; which occur from November 29 to December 9 with the peak occurring on December 5-6. The Orionids, which occurs in late October, sometimes lasts into November.

In recent decades, the number of warm temperature records in November has outpaced cold temperature records over a growing portion of Earth's surface.
In recent decades, the number of warm temperature records in November has outpaced cold temperature records over a growing portion of Earth's surface.
Chart shows changes in global average temperature annually in November of each year
Chart shows changes in global average temperature annually in November of each year

02Astrology

The Western zodiac signs for November are Scorpio (October 23, November 21) and Sagittarius (November 22, December 21).

Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum
Topaz crystal
Topaz crystal

03Symbols

November's birthstone is the topaz (particularly, yellow) which symbolizes friendship and the citrine. Its birth flower is the chrysanthemum.

Citrine gemstone
Citrine gemstone
Thanksgiving is celebrated in November
Thanksgiving is celebrated in November

04Observances

This list does not necessarily imply either official status or general observance.

Non-Gregorian

(All Baha'i, Islamic, and Jewish observances begin at the sundown prior to the date listed, and end at sundown of the date in question unless otherwise noted.)

Month-long

United States

Movable

First Sunday

First Monday

Tuesday after the first Monday

First Wednesday

First Thursday

First Friday

First Saturday

Second Sunday

Week of November 8

Week of November 11

Second Monday:

Second Saturday

Third Sunday:

Third week

Weekdays of the third week

Wednesday of the third week

Third Thursday

Third Friday

Third Friday until the next Monday

Saturday before Fourth Thursday

Last Week

Day before fourth Thursday

Last Wednesday

Fourth Thursday

Day after fourth Thursday

Fourth Saturday

Saturday after Thanksgiving

Fourth Sunday

Last Sunday

Monday after fourth Thursday in November

Fixed

A Vegan activist gives out baked goods for World Vegan Day
A Vegan activist gives out baked goods for World Vegan Day
Guy Fawkes Night fireworks. Guy Fawkes Night is celebrated on November 5th in the United Kingdom.
Guy Fawkes Night fireworks. Guy Fawkes Night is celebrated on November 5th in the United Kingdom.
Watch videos about NovemberExplainers and documentaries on YouTube (opens in a new tab)

Sources and credits

This article is adapted from the Wikipedia article “November”, written by its contributors and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Fathomly has changed the layout, removed citation markers, navigation and maintenance notices, and adjusted punctuation. This adapted version is shared under the same license. For references, see the original article.

Images, from Wikimedia Commons:

Fathomly is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Wikimedia Foundation. Spotted a problem? Tell us.