The Autumn Equinox, is when the equator is in the direct path of the sun, day and night are of equal length, North and South Poles receive equal light, thus the name equinox. A time of harvest and getting ready for Winter.

The Autumn Equinox is when the grapes are fermented and wine is made, a time to butcher weak livestock ( which will not make it through the Winter),

Festivals occuring around the Autumn Equinox are Mabon, Festival of Dionysus, Fest of Michaelmas, Wine Harvest, Cornucopia, Feast of Avalon, Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur, and Alban Elfed

German harvest festival - Octoberfest - two weeks through the First Sunday in October. Observed with food, beer, music, and dance.

Sukkoth - Jewish harvest festival and time for giving thanks.

Start of Libra - astrological sign

References
Infoplease.lycos.com
Carnegie Mellon University.
www.religioustolerance.org/
History Channel

AUTUMN EQUINOX (September 21*)
The Second or Continuing Harvest, the days and nights are equal once again. gardens are in full bloom and heavy with nature's bounty. There is a slight nip in the air already and preparations begin to prepare for the long cold months which are to come.

National Mammography Day (Third Friday in October)
Discounted or free mammograms

SAMHAIN: Halloween (October 31*)
The Last Harvest. The Earth nods a sad farewell to the year. We know that Nature will once again be reborn and the cycle will continue.

PEARL HARBOR DAY(December 7*)
The anniversery of the entrance of the United States into World War II