100 Trivia Questions About October

Welcome to 100 Trivia Questions About October where we dive into the unique and captivating aspects of the tenth month of the year. October is a month rich with history, culture, and seasonal changes. As the leaves turn vibrant hues and the air becomes crisp, we celebrate a variety of events from Halloween to Oktoberfest, and observe significant historical milestones.

This collection of 100 trivia questions is designed to challenge your knowledge and spark your curiosity about all things October. Whether you’re a history buff, a pop culture enthusiast, or just someone who loves the autumn season, there’s something here for everyone. Gather your friends and family, test your wits, and discover just how much you know about this remarkable month.

History of October Trivia Questions:

  1. Which Roman Emperor renamed the month of October after himself for a short period?
  2. What event started on October 1, 1949, in China?
  3. In which year was the Cuban Missile Crisis, which began in October?
  4. October used to be the eighth month in the early Roman calendar. What Latin word does “October” come from, reflecting its original position?
  5. What significant World War II event occurred in October 1944 involving the Philippines?
  6. Which country celebrates its independence from the Soviet Union on October 3?
  7. What major stock market event happened in October 1929, marking the start of the Great Depression?
  8. Which U.S. president issued the first official proclamation of “Columbus Day” to be observed in October?
  9. On October 31, 1517, which religious figure posted the “95 Theses,” starting the Protestant Reformation?
  10. Which European country celebrates its National Day on October 26, commemorating the end of its occupation after World War II?

Answers:

  1. Emperor Domitian (though it was changed back shortly after his death).
  2. The founding of the People’s Republic of China.
  3. 1962.
  4. “Octo,” meaning eight.
  5. The Battle of Leyte Gulf.
  6. Germany (Reunification Day).
  7. The Wall Street Crash (Black Tuesday).
  8. President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
  9. Martin Luther.
  10. Austria.

October Holidays Questions:

  1. Which holiday is celebrated on the second Monday in October in the United States and Canada?
  2. What Hindu festival of lights often falls in October or November?
  3. What day in October is recognized globally as World Mental Health Day?
  4. What international day on October 1 celebrates older people around the world?
  5. Which Jewish holiday, sometimes observed in October, is known as the “Day of Atonement”?
  6. What is celebrated on October 31, apart from Halloween, in the Christian calendar?
  7. What international observance on October 5 celebrates teachers and their contributions to society?
  8. What festival in Germany traditionally starts in late September and ends in early October?
  9. What national holiday is celebrated on October 12 in Spain and many Latin American countries?
  10. Which holiday, observed on October 24, marks the founding of the United Nations?

Answers:

  1. Columbus Day (U.S.) and Thanksgiving (Canada).
  2. Diwali.
  3. October 10.
  4. International Day of Older Persons.
  5. Yom Kippur.
  6. All Hallows’ Eve (preceding All Saints’ Day).
  7. World Teachers’ Day.
  8. Oktoberfest.
  9. Día de la Hispanidad or Columbus Day.
  10. United Nations Day.

Famous People Born in October Questions:

  1. What famous artist, known for The Persistence of Memory, was born on October 25, 1881?
  2. Which American singer, born on October 9, 1940, was a member of The Beatles?
  3. Which British prime minister, famous for leadership during World War II, was born on October 30, 1874?
  4. What Oscar-winning actress, born on October 28, 1967, is known for her roles in The Blind Side and Gravity?
  5. Which famous scientist, born on October 21, 1833, is known as the “father of the periodic table”?
  6. What well-known rapper, born on October 17, 1972, is known for albums like The Marshall Mathers LP?
  7. What famous French leader, born on October 15, 1764, was exiled to Elba after losing power?
  8. Which American author of horror and mystery novels was born on October 31, 1949?
  9. What popular YouTuber and philanthropist, born on October 18, 1998, is known for extravagant giveaways?
  10. What famous Roman poet, known for writing Metamorphoses, was born on October 20, 43 BC?

Answers:

  1. Pablo Picasso.
  2. John Lennon.
  3. Winston Churchill.
  4. Julia Roberts.
  5. Dmitri Mendeleev.
  6. Eminem (Marshall Mathers).
  7. Napoleon Bonaparte.
  8. Stephen King.
  9. MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson).
  10. Ovid.

October in Pop Culture Questions:

  1. What 1993 animated movie, often watched during October, features the character Jack Skellington?
  2. Which popular TV show featuring supernatural elements premiered in October 2005?
  3. What iconic 1978 horror film directed by John Carpenter is a classic for Halloween viewing?
  4. What sports tournament, often held in October, is known as the “Fall Classic” in the U.S.?
  5. What famous comic strip character often looks forward to seeing the Great Pumpkin in October?
  6. Which 2010 zombie-themed TV show, based on a comic series, first aired in October?
  7. What candy slogan, introduced in October 1979, tells you to “taste the rainbow”?
  8. What famous space exploration event occurred on October 4, 1957, marking a significant moment in pop culture?
  9. What iconic American music festival, known for spooky decorations, takes place in October in New Orleans?
  10. What musical genre is associated with The Misfits, a band known for their Halloween-themed imagery?

Answers:

  1. The Nightmare Before Christmas.
  2. Supernatural.
  3. Halloween.
  4. The World Series (baseball).
  5. Charlie Brown in Peanuts.
  6. The Walking Dead.
  7. Skittles.
  8. The launch of Sputnik.
  9. Voodoo Music + Arts Experience.
  10. Horror punk.

October Weather and Seasons Questions:

  1. In the Northern Hemisphere, October marks the full onset of what season?
  2. What is the term for the warm, dry spell that sometimes occurs in mid-October?
  3. What popular activity involving picking happens in orchards during October?
  4. What large bird, often associated with autumn, is hunted during October in many countries?
  5. October is often known as a prime month for what activity involving the viewing of changing leaves?
  6. What astrological term refers to the first full moon that occurs closest to the autumn equinox, often in October?
  7. October is known for what type of harvesting, often depicted in autumn festivals?
  8. Which iconic flower, commonly associated with fall, blooms in October in many parts of the world?
  9. What term refers to the practice of preparing animals for the upcoming winter, which often takes place in October?
  10. Which type of outdoor gathering, often associated with October, involves sitting around a fire and sharing stories?

Answers:

  1. Autumn (fall).
  2. Indian Summer.
  3. Apple picking.
  4. Turkey.
  5. Leaf peeping.
  6. The Harvest Moon.
  7. Pumpkin harvesting.
  8. Chrysanthemums.
  9. Winter foraging.
  10. A bonfire.

October Sports Events Questions:

  1. What major sporting event in the U.S. is often referred to as “October baseball”?
  2. Which international marathon is held annually in Chicago every October?
  3. What iconic horse race takes place in Melbourne, Australia, in early October?
  4. In October, what motorsport competition holds its U.S. Grand Prix event in Austin, Texas?
  5. Which famous golf event, known as the “Ryder Cup,” sometimes takes place in October?
  6. In the U.S., what sport’s regular season typically begins in October?
  7. Which professional tennis tournament in China is held annually in October?
  8. What prestigious running event takes place in New York City in October?
  9. In October, which country hosts the Rugby World Cup, if scheduled that year?
  10. What sport’s playoffs, known as “October Madness,” occur in the U.S. during October?

Answers:

  1. The World Series.
  2. The Chicago Marathon.
  3. The Caulfield Cup.
  4. Formula 1.
  5. The Ryder Cup.
  6. The NBA (basketball).
  7. The China Open.
  8. The New York City Marathon.
  9. Various (depending on the hosting country for that year).
  10. Major League Baseball playoffs.

October Traditions and Folklore Questions:

  1. Which popular autumn activity, often done in October, involves carving faces into pumpkins?
  2. What tradition, practiced by children on Halloween, involves going door-to-door for candy?
  3. Which folklore figure, often associated with Halloween, is known for riding a headless horse?
  4. What traditional October harvest activity involves gathering crops, especially corn and pumpkins?
  5. What custom involves visiting haunted houses or going on ghost tours in October?
  6. Which type of scarecrow, often used as a decoration in October, symbolizes the harvest season?
  7. What is the name of the mythological creature that appears as a half-human, half-goat and is said to roam the forests in October?
  8. Which folklore tale involves a pumpkin being turned into a carriage?
  9. In Irish folklore, which spirit or fairy is associated with mischievous pranks, especially in October?
  10. What practice, commonly done in October, involves preparing homes for the coming winter season?

Answers:

  1. Pumpkin carving (or jack-o’-lantern carving).
  2. Trick-or-treating.
  3. The Headless Horseman.
  4. Harvesting.
  5. Haunted house visits.
  6. Corn husk or hay bale scarecrows.
  7. The faun or satyr.
  8. Cinderella (the fairy tale).
  9. Puck or púca.
  10. Winterizing (or fall cleanup).

October in History Questions:

  1. What infamous U.S. political scandal led to the resignation of a U.S. president in October 1974?
  2. On October 4, 1957, what major space event marked the beginning of the Space Race?
  3. Which famous American outlaw was shot and killed on October 5, 1892?
  4. What civil rights activist delivered a famous speech on October 16, 1968, at the Mexico City Olympics?
  5. What major world war battle, known for its massive tank conflict, began in October 1942?
  6. Which U.S. president signed the Clean Water Act into law on October 18, 1972?
  7. What European country was invaded by Italy on October 3, 1935?
  8. Which organization was founded on October 24, 1945, to promote peace and cooperation?
  9. What major natural disaster struck San Francisco on October 17, 1989?
  10. Which African nation gained its independence from France on October 2, 1958?

Answers:

  1. The Watergate scandal.
  2. The launch of Sputnik.
  3. Jesse James.
  4. Tommie Smith and John Carlos (delivering the Black Power salute).
  5. The Battle of El Alamein.
  6. Richard Nixon.
  7. Ethiopia.
  8. The United Nations.
  9. The Loma Prieta earthquake.
  10. Guinea.

October Zodiac Signs Questions:

  1. What are the two zodiac signs associated with October?
  2. Which element is associated with both Libra and Scorpio, the October zodiac signs?
  3. Which planet rules over Libra, one of the October zodiac signs?
  4. What is Scorpio’s ruling planet in astrology?
  5. What are the key personality traits associated with Libras?
  6. What birthstone is linked to the zodiac sign Scorpio?
  7. Libras are said to be symbolized by what object, representing balance and fairness?
  8. Which zodiac sign is known for being secretive and intense, often associated with October?
  9. In Chinese astrology, what zodiac animal is associated with people born in October 1984?
  10. Which astrological sign is known for its romantic and diplomatic nature, linked to October?

Answers:

  1. Libra and Scorpio.
  2. Air (Libra) and Water (Scorpio).
  3. Venus.
  4. Mars and Pluto.
  5. Fair, social, diplomatic, and peaceful.
  6. Opal.
  7. Scales.
  8. Scorpio.
  9. The Rat.
  10. Libra.

Famous October Festivals Questions:

  1. What famous German festival, celebrated globally, involves drinking beer and eating pretzels?
  2. Which country hosts a month-long festival in October dedicated to celebrating and thanking ancestors?
  3. Which annual Texas event, celebrating the state’s history, begins in October?
  4. What iconic horror film festival takes place in Sitges, Spain, in early October?
  5. In October, what festival in New Mexico celebrates hot air balloons?
  6. What famous Australian horse racing event, known for fashion and betting, occurs in October?
  7. What Hindu festival, also celebrated in October, honors the goddess Durga?
  8. Which Caribbean island celebrates its national music festival in October, showcasing jazz, reggae, and calypso?
  9. What international jazz festival takes place every October in Cape Town, South Africa?
  10. In October, which famous chocolate festival is held in Perugia, Italy?

Answers:

  1. Oktoberfest.
  2. China (Double Ninth Festival).
  3. The Texas State Fair.
  4. The Sitges Film Festival.
  5. Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
  6. The Melbourne Cup.
  7. Durga Puja.
  8. St. Lucia.
  9. Cape Town International Jazz Festival.
  10. Eurochocolate.