December - Definition and Overview

December is the twelfth and last month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days.

December begins in Sagittarius and ends in Capricorn.

In the wheel of the year December spans the summer solstice in the southern hemisphere. In the northern hemisphere it has a corresponding position with respect to the winter solstice. These solstices coincide on or about December 21.

History

The name is from the Latin decem for "ten". The month was originally the tenth month of the year, before January and February were inserted.

Events

• The United Nations has designated December 10 as Human Rights Day.
• A Solstice always takes place near the end of the month, usually on December 21 or December 22.
• Christmas is celebrated as a holiday in much of the western world and is a religious day, second in importance only to Easter for Christians. The holiday, which occurs on December 25, celebrates the birth of Jesus.
• In Ireland, December 26 is called St. Stephen's Day and is a public holiday. In the Irish calendar the month is called Mí na Nollag (literally "The Month of Christmas") and is the middle month of the Winter season.

Trivia

• December always begins with the same day of the week as September.
• December's flower is the holly.
• December's birthstone is turquoise.

See also

• Historical anniversaries