December

Independence Days

1 National Day Romania

Marks the unification of Romania and Transylvania in 1918 and the 1989 overthrow of the communist regime.

12 Jamhuri (Independence) Day KENYA

A celebration of independence from Britain in 1963•

16 Bijoy Dibash (Victory Day) BANGLADESH

Signifies independence after a nine-month Liberation War against Pakistan in 1971.

Regional and Cultural Events

1 Rosa Parks Day U.S.

Commemorates the arrest of Rosa Parks in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1955 and the birth of the modern civil rights movement. Ms. Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus a white passenger, an incident that led to a yearlong boycott of the city’s buses and the end of segregation on municipal buses throughout the southern U.S.

3 International Day of Disabled Persons U.N.

Promotes the continuing integration of persons who are disabled into general society.

6 St. Nicholas Day INTERNATIONAL

Celebrates the life of St. Nicholas. a Christian bishop from what is now Turkey, known for his good deeds. He died around 35o CE. In many European countries, families exchange gifts on this day rather than on Christmas.

7Earthquake Victims’ Memorial Day ARMENIA

Commemorates the 1988 earthquake. which killed 6o,000 ople and left thousands homeless.

0 Human Rights Day U.N.

Established in 1948 by the U.N. to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

12 Fiesta of Our Lady of Guadalupe MEXICO Commemorates the day the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan  Diego. circa 1531, and instructed him to take roses to the local bishop. The church had refused Diego’s request to build a shrine in the Virgin’s honor because It did not believe the Virgin would appear to a simple native. Upon • seeing the roses in the dead of winter, the bishop conceded.

13 Luciadagen (Santa Lucia Day) SWEDEN. U.S. Honors the third- or fourth-century saint, known as the Queen of Light. In Sweden. the start of the Christmas season. The eldest daughter of the household dresses in white, adorns her head with a wreath of burning candles, and offers coffee and sweets to the family.

15 Bill of Rights Day u.s,

Commemorates the ratification in 1791 of the first so amendments to the Constitution.

15 Navidades PUERTO RICO

Marks the beginning of the traditional Christmas season, ending with Three Kings Day on January 6.

21 Solstice INTERNATIONAL

In the Northern Hemisphere, winter begins today. In the Southern Hemisphere, today is the beginning of summer.

23 Tenno Tanjobi (Emperor’s Birthday) Japan

A national holiday to honor Emperor Akihito, born in 1933.

26 Boxing Day International

This holiday takes its name from the little boxes that servants, tradespeople, and others who rendered service to the public carried around on the day after Christmas to collect tips and year-end bonuses. Today. it is usually observed as a public or bank holiday.

26 Junkanoo Bahamas

A festival that combines elements of Mardi Gras, mummers’ parades, and ancient African tribal rituals. Continues on January 5.

26 Kwanzaa u.s (African-American)

A seven-day celebration started in 5966 to honor Americans of African ancestry. Kwanzaa means “fresh fruits of the harvest” in Swahili. Each day is dedicated to one principle: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility. cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, faith.

30 Rizal Day Phillippines

Commemorates the execution of a national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, in 5896.

Religious Holidays

8 Bodhi Day Buddist

Celebrates the day of the Buddha’s enlightenment. Siddhartha Gautama sat for seven days under a bo (fig) tree vowing to understand the meaning of life. On the eighth morning, he realized the Four Noble Truths of suffering and the way to overcome them by the Eightfold Path. At this moment he reached bodhi (a Sanskrit word meaning “awakening”) and was named Buddha, or Enlightened One.

8 Feast of the Immaculate Conception CHRISTIAN (CATHOLIC)

Commemorates the preservation of the Virgin Mary from original sin.

12 Hanukkah (Feast of Lights/Dedication) JEWISH

An eight-day festival commemorating the recapture of the Temple of Jerusalem in 165 BCE by the Maccabees from Syrian Greeks. When the temple was restored and cleansed, only one day’s supply of oil was found for the daily lighting of the menorah (a ritual candelabra), This small supply tasted eight days, and today an eight-branched menorah is lit to remind Jews of the miracle. Begins at sundown the previous day.

18 Hijra (New Year) ISLAMIC

The first day of the first month (Muharram) of the Islamic year Begins at sundown the previous day.

21 Yule CELTIC. PAGAN

Yule occurs on this day in the Northern Hemisphere; in the Southern Hemisphere, today is Litha.

25 Christmas CHRISTIAN

Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and is one of the most joyous days of the Christian year. For many Christians the celebration begins the evening before, on Christmas Eve.