November
Overview
November is the eleventh month of the Gregorian calendar and, along with April, June, and September, is a month with 30 days. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is a transitional period from late autumn to early winter, while in the Southern Hemisphere, it corresponds to late spring. Located at the tail end of the year's final quarter, it has a strong character as a month in which settlements, preparations, consumption, and anniversaries are concentrated.
Main Content
Name and Origin
The English name 'November' comes from the Latin 'novem (9).' This is because in the ancient Roman calendar, November was the ninth month. Later, through the Julian and Gregorian calendar reforms, two months were moved earlier, giving it its current eleventh position. The Korean name '11월' directly follows the notation '十一月' used in the Chinese character cultural sphere.
Climate and Seasons
In the Northern Hemisphere, November is at the tail end of autumn. On the Korean Peninsula, autumn foliage passes its peak and leaves fall, and the number of areas experiencing the first snow or frost increases. The diurnal temperature range widens and dry days are frequent, making wildfire and fire prevention important. In Europe and North America, late autumn's cloudy weather arrives along with the beginning of early winter cold waves. In the Southern Hemisphere (Australia, South America, etc.), it is late spring, with temperatures rising and flowers blooming in full.
Symbols
November's birthstones are topaz and citrine, and its birth flower is the chrysanthemum. The chrysanthemum is also a flower representing November in Korea, and is regarded as a symbol of integrity and diligence.
Major Anniversaries and Events
- November 11: A day that coincides with Korea's Pepero Day, China's Guanggun Festival (光軍節; Singles' Day), a large-scale shopping festival, Europe's St. Martin's Day, and the anniversary of the end of World War I (Remembrance Day, which has the character of a Memorial Day).
- Thanksgiving: In the United States, it is the fourth Thursday of November and is the biggest holiday, when families gather for a meal. The following day, Black Friday, signals the opening of the year-end shopping season.
- College Scholastic Ability Test: In Korea, it is usually held on the third Thursday of November, and on this day, society as a whole moves in accordance with the exam, including traffic and noise controls.
- Exam and Settlement Season: It is also a time when corporate budgeting, preparation for year-end settlements, and various qualification exams are concentrated.
Historical Events
November has many significant events in world history. The 1917 November Russian Revolution, the end of World War I on November 11, 1918, the assassination of John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, and the bombing of KAL Flight 858 on November 29, 1987 all occurred in November.
Recent Trends
As of 2024–2025, November's character as 'the starting point of the global consumption season' is being further strengthened. China's Singles' Day has moved beyond its explosive growth of previous years and entered a mature phase, and Black Friday in the United States is being reorganized around online shopping, with promotions tending to be dispersed from early November. In Korea, Pepero Day, the CSAT, and year-end gatherings overlap, establishing it as the peak season for the distribution and food service industries. As average November temperatures rise compared with the past due to climate change, the timing of the first snow is being delayed and the peak autumn foliage period is also tending to be pushed back. In addition, Black Friday and Singles' Day are influencing each other across borders, and the trend of regarding the entire month of November as a 'month of sales' has become clear.
Related Topics
- [[Black Friday]]
- [[Thanksgiving]]
- [[Pepero Day]]
- [[College Scholastic Ability Test]]
- [[Berlin Wall]]
- [[Gregorian calendar]]