October 2, 2013: I’ll admit with some shame here, I’ve never read Around the World in 80 Days. It’s on October 2, 1872, when Phileas Fogg leaves London on his famous trip around the world, thus making it Phileas Fogg’s Wager Day. I’ll also admit with some shame, I always thought it was PhiNeas Fogg. Look at me, learning! I’m pretty sure the very same event is the source for Balloons Around the World Day, although by looking at the interwebs, it looks like the balloon animal creators have been trying to take that holiday over. Wiener dogs for everyone! World Farm Animals Day, on a more serious note, was founded in 1983 to bring attention to the suffering of farm animals. I eat meat, but I’m all in favor of treating the animals kindly. Even if that means balloon rides.