During the 16 days of Oktoberfest, Munich hosts over six million visitors. The party started in 1810 when Prince Ludwig of Bavaria celebrated his marriage with a horse race and generous amounts of beer. 200 years later, the world’s largest annual festival isn’t just for Germans anymore. Revelers across the globe – from Mexico and Brazil to Hong Kong and Australia – will delight in steins, sauerkraut and song. So wherever you are, don your Lederhosen and hoist your mug with a hearty “Prost!”

Awareness ribbons have become enduring symbols. In the 80’s we “tied a yellow ribbon” to await the return of our soldiers. In the 90’s we wore red ribbons to represent the fight against AIDS and HIV. Today, the pink ribbon inspires the search for a cure for breast cancer. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, so now’s the time to show your support with a message of warmth and wisdom. After all, positive thinking can be powerful medicine.

The year was 1752. When the British Empire and her colonies adopted the Gregorian calendar, it was decreed that September 2 would become September 14. Thus, the days of September 2 to September 13 never existed, and were lost from history. The calendar correction was enough to incite public riots and chants of “give us back our 11 days.” Hmmm…How about next year we skip April 15?