10/09/2026
Today is World Octopus Day! The date October 8 was chosen because of the eight-limbed feature of this intelligent, Houdini-like animal. (Plus, the original Roman calendar had 10 months, with October being the 8th month.)
While the main purpose of the day is to raise awareness about the need for protection of octopuses, we are taking the musical route…
In October 1975 our library encouraged patrons to “look over the collection of long-play phonograph records and cassettes” to find recordings that “fit your every mood and taste.” [Chippewa Herald-Telegram, Oct 31, 1975]
Among the new additions was Jefferson Starship’s chart-topping second album “Red Octopus,” supposedly named as a reference to their new lineup’s eight-member configuration.
51 years later, the library has added a children’s music CD to the collection by the Laurie Berkner Band called “Walking with the Penguins.” And can you believe it, one of the songs is called “Onyx the Octopus.” The first line of the song goes “Onyx the Octopus has nine brains and three hearts”—teaching kids about this animal’s unique physiology. 🐙
