November 15 is a weird day. It sits right in that awkward gap where everyone is already stressed about Thanksgiving or Christmas, yet it carries its own heavyweight cultural baggage that most people completely ignore. If you look at the calendar, you might see a few minor notations. But honestly, holidays on November 15 range from intense religious traditions in Japan to a surprisingly high-stakes "national day" for clean living in the United States.
It isn't just a Tuesday or a Friday. It's a cross-section of global identity.
Shichi-Go-San: The 7-5-3 Festival You Need to Know About
If you’re in Japan on November 15, you’ll see something adorable but deeply steeped in history. It’s called Shichi-Go-San. Literally, it translates to Seven-Five-Three. This isn't just a random celebration; it’s a rite of passage for children who hit those specific ages.
Why these numbers?
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Odd numbers are considered lucky in Japanese numerology. Historically, child mortality was terrifyingly high. Reaching age three, five, or seven was a massive milestone. It meant the child had "crossed over" into the world of the living more permanently.
Families head to Shinto shrines. The kids are dressed in stunning, tiny kimonos or sometimes formal Western suits. They get Chitose Ame—"Thousand Year Candy"—which is long, thin, and red-and-white. It’s supposed to symbolize longevity. You’ll see parents frantically taking photos at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo or local neighborhood spots. It’s a day of pure, unadulterated relief that your kids are growing up healthy.
The Reality of America Recycles Day
In the U.S., November 15 marks America Recycles Day. Now, look. We all know the drill. We put the plastic in the blue bin and hope for the best. But this holiday, started by Keep America Beautiful back in 1997, is trying to address the "wish-cycling" problem.
Wish-cycling is when you throw something in the bin because you hope it’s recyclable, even though it’s actually a greasy pizza box or a plastic grocery bag. Doing that actually ruins the whole batch.
holidays on November 15 serve as a gut check for our consumption. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) usually drops data around this time. Did you know the recycling rate in the U.S. has hovered around 32-35% for years? It’s not great. This day is basically an annual plea to learn what your specific local municipality actually accepts.
Stop putting bowling balls in the bin. People actually do that.
National Philanthropy Day: The Big Money Holiday
While most of us are checking our bank accounts for Black Friday, November 15 is officially National Philanthropy Day. It was first recognized by Ronald Reagan in 1986.
It’s a massive day for non-profits.
Think of it as the professional version of Giving Tuesday. This is when the big donors, the foundations, and the "Change the World" types get together for galas and award ceremonies. It celebrates the "love of humanity." According to Giving USA, Americans gave over $500 billion to charity recently. A huge chunk of the strategy for those billions is solidified on this specific date. It’s about the people who work behind the scenes at food banks, hospitals, and museums.
Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day (Yes, Really)
This is the most practical holiday on the list. November 15 is National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day.
It’s perfectly timed.
Think about it. Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away. Your fridge is currently a graveyard of half-empty mayo jars, withered cilantro, and "what is that?" leftovers from three Sundays ago. You need room for the turkey. You need room for the three different types of stuffing your aunt is bringing.
Basically, it’s a household reset. Health experts and organizations like the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics often use this day to remind people that bacteria like Listeria can actually grow in cold temperatures if food sits too long. If it’s fuzzy, toss it. No, you aren't going to eat those pickled beets you bought on a whim in July.
The Religious and Political Weight of the Day
For many Eastern Orthodox Christians, November 15 marks the beginning of the Nativity Fast. It’s a 40-day period of abstinence and penance leading up to Christmas. It’s not quite Lent, but it’s serious. People cut out meat, dairy, and sometimes oil and wine depending on the specific tradition.
Then there’s the political side.
In Palestine, November 15 is Independence Day. It commemorates the 1988 Declaration of Independence by the Palestinian National Council in Algiers. It’s a day of significant national identity and complex geopolitical history.
In Brazil, it’s Republic Day (Proclamação da República). This is a big one. It commemorates the day in 1889 when the monarchy was overthrown and the republic was established. It’s a public holiday. Banks are closed. The streets are often filled with parades. It’s a fundamental part of the Brazilian identity, marking the transition from the Empire of Brazil to a federal republic.
Why November 15 Matters for Your Mental Health
Weirdly, there's a thread of "preparation" running through all these events.
- Japan: Preparing children for adulthood.
- USA: Preparing the environment (recycling) and the home (fridge).
- Religion: Preparing the soul (fasting).
- Philanthropy: Preparing the community.
It’s a pivot point. We are moving from the harvest mindset of October into the deep winter/holiday mindset of December. If you treat November 15 as a "reset day," it actually becomes useful instead of just another date on a calendar.
Actionable Steps for November 15
Instead of just letting the day pass by, you can actually use it to make your life slightly less chaotic.
First, do the Fridge Purge. Don't just move stuff around. Take everything out. Wipe the shelves with warm soapy water. If a condiment has less than an inch left and you haven't touched it in a month, it's gone. This creates the physical "breathing room" you’ll need for the holiday season.
Second, check your recycling rules. Go to your city's waste management website. Look at the "Prohibited" list. You might be surprised to find that things like shredded paper or certain types of glass are actually trash in your specific zip code. Stop wish-cycling.
Third, make a small donation. Since it's Philanthropy Day, find a local charity—not a giant national one, but a local food pantry or animal shelter—and give ten bucks. Small, local donations often have a much higher immediate impact on your specific community.
Finally, acknowledge the growth. If you have kids or even just look at your own life, take a page from the Shichi-Go-San tradition. Acknowledge that you made it through another year. Life is hard. Reaching a milestone, no matter how small, is worth a piece of "thousand-year candy" or at least a quiet moment of gratitude.
November 15 isn't a "nothing" day. It's a day for cleaning, giving, and remembering that we’re all just trying to make it to the next big milestone.