Other reasons this day is special

Oct. 4 ‹ St. Francis Day ‹ Christian ‹ Honoring one of the most beloved saints, who renounced family wealth to follow the Gospel. He soon founded the Franciscans, stressing humility and poverty. He is patron saint of Italy, animals and animal welfare agencies. Oct. 4 ‹ Ramadan begins ‹ Islam ‹ The month in which the Holy Quran was revealed. It is a time to honor self-discipline and the commands of God by fasting: Food, drink and sexual activity are prohibited between dawn and dusk each day. Oct. 4 ‹ Navaratri begins‹ Hindu ‹ A nine-night harvest festival that exalts the motherhood aspect of God and the triumph of good over evil. It celebrates goddess Durga, who destroyed the demon Ahishasura. The festival is considered an auspicious time to start new ventures.

Oct. 3 ‹ Rosh Hashanah ‹ Jewish ‹ The Jewish New Year, also called Days of Awe or the High Holy Days, a time for spiritual reassessment of one's life. A ram's horn, or shofar, is blown in synagogue, alerting worshipers to ethical self-examination.