Top 6 Things You Might Not Know About November 11

In China and some countries worldwide, November 11th is considered 'Singles' Day.' With four consecutive 1s, it's called 'Guanggun' in China, meaning 'single stick,' and signifies 'single.' Many stories surround the legend of 'Singles' Day.' The most widely shared tale comes from a university dormitory in Nanking. Four senior students, part of the 'Single Club,' gathered on 11/11 to play cards and chat, focusing on how to 'escape singlehood.'

They initiated the movement to commemorate singleness on 11/11, gaining widespread support. Since then, November 11th has been recognized as a celebration and embraced by businesses, offering singles special shopping deals similar to Black Friday.

Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day, is an annual national celebration in the United States to honor all veterans. It is observed every year on November 11th, coinciding with global events like Armistice Day or Remembrance Day held in various parts of the world. This day also marks the end of World War I, with major hostilities ceasing at 11 am on November 11, 1918, when Germany signed the armistice.

Veterans Day should not be confused with Memorial Day; Veterans Day commemorates the efforts of all American veterans, whether alive or deceased, while Memorial Day remembers those who sacrificed their lives in service.

It also signifies the end of World War I, as the main battlefields officially fell silent on 11/11/1918. Interestingly, the guns were no longer heard starting at 11 am on that day, adding a poignant layer to the significance of 11/11.

In South Korea, November 11th is not just a celebration for singles like in China; it's a day of joy for the youth in general and especially for women. On this day, girls and couples often exchange Pepero sticks, a type of small, stick-shaped snack resembling the number 1, symbolizing well-wishing for a slender figure. The trend of gifting Pepero started in 1996 in the Yeongnam region, Busan, initiated by middle school girls.

Having a slender figure is always a striving criterion for every girl, and they exchanged Pepero sticks to encourage each other to maintain and achieve a slender physique. Since then, November 11th has become Pepero Day, celebrated not only by schoolgirls but by all girls aspiring for a slender figure.

November 11, 2011, is considered a day of 'great fortune' with six consecutive 1s, especially at the moment when the clock strikes 11 hours, 11 minutes, 11 seconds on November 11, 2011.

If you pay attention, you'll notice that on 11/11, 2011, there were several noteworthy events:

• It marks the opening day of the 26th Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia.
• It is the day of the Asia Anime Festival held in Singapore.
• It is the day when Vietnam's Ha Long Bay proudly entered the list of the 7 wonders of the world. The official voting closed at 11:11 AM (GMT) on 11/11/2011.
• It's also the day in China when the number of people getting married increased significantly, despite it being known as the 'single day' or 'gateway to hell' because they believe the appearance of six 1s brings luck and great fortune. Many restaurants also opened on this day.

Many consider 11-11-11 a day of luck, while others speculate that 11:11 AM on 11-11-11 is the moment the gates of hell open. The 'all ones' day is not just rare, occurring once a century, but also holds significant mystical meaning. In ancient times, the number 11 symbolized demons or wrongdoers. In Egypt, authorities closed the Giza Pyramids until the morning of the 12th, citing 'maintenance,' amid speculation of peculiar rituals by religious groups. Hollywood capitalized on the date with the horror film '11.11.11,' depicting major life events happening on 11-11.

However, astronomers view the 'ones day' as just an ordinary day. Andrew Jacob, head of astronomy at the Sydney Observatory, states, 'Dates are human constructs. This day is just a coincidence, neither good nor bad.'

Notice something intriguing – November 11th is the 315th day of the year (316th in a leap year). Only a neat 50 days left before stepping into the new year. So, swiftly complete those lingering tasks from the old year.