Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains began their five-day celebration (October 21-25) of Diwali, the festival of lights.

Protestants observe Reformation Sunday (October 26), which commemorates the day in 1517 when tradition says Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to a church door in Wittenberg, Germany. Friday (October 31) is All Hallows Eve, Halloween, followed by All Saints Day on Saturday (November 1), honoring saints and martyrs.