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Global Events for December 2006
INDEPENDENCE DAYS
1: Independence Day ROMANIA
Marks the unification of Romania and Transylvania in 1918 and the 1989 overthrow of the communist regime.
6: Independence Day FINLAND
Marks independence from Russia in 1917.
10. Constitution Day THAILAND
Commemorates the signing of a national constitution by King Rama VII in 1932.
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 LIberatrion War against West Pakistan in 1971.
26. Independence Day LIBYA
Commemorates independence from Italy in 1951.
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REGIONAL AND CULTURAL HOLIDAYS
1. Rosa Parks Day U.S.
Commemorates the arrest of Rosa Parks, in 1955, for defying segregation by refysing to give up her seat on the bus for a white passenger. The incident led to a boycott of the city's buses and the end of segregation.
1. World AIDS Day U.N
A day dersignated by the U.N and the World Health Organization to increase awareness about aids.
3. International Day of Disabled Persons U.N
Promotes the continuing integration of persons who are disabled into generalo society.
6. St. Nicholas Day INTERNATIONAL
Celebrates the life St. Nicholas, a Christian bishop from what is now Turkey, known for his good deeds. In many European countries, families exchange gifts on this day rather than on Christmas.
7. Earthquake Victims Memorial Day ARMENIA
Commemorates the 1988 earthquake, which killed 60,000 people and left thousands homeless.
10. Human Rights Day U.N
Established in 1948 by the U.N to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
12. Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe MEXICO
Commemorates the day of the Virgina 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. Early in the morning, the eldest daughter of the household dresses in white, adorns her head with a wreath of burning candles, and offers coffee an sweets to the family.
15. Bill of Rights Day U.S
Commemorates the ratification in 1791 of the first 10 amendments to the Constitution.
15. Navidades PUERTO RICO
Marks the beginning of the traditional Christmas, ending with Three Kings Day.
23. Tenno Tanjobi (Emperor's Birthday) JAPAN.
A national holiday to honor Emperor Akihito, born in 1933.
26. Boxing Day INTERNATIONAL
Originally was considered as Christmas for Christian house servants, public servants, and tradespeople since professions requried them to work on the holiday. Small boxes containing gifts or donations were given in appreciation of their work on Christmas Day and througout the year. Today, it is thought of as a day to throw out boxes and tidy up from Christmas celebrations.
26. Junkanoo BAHAMAS
A festival similar to Mardi Gras and celebrated by some African and Caribbean countries. Tradtions include elaborate costumes, dance performances, and rhythmic music.
26. Kwanzaa U.S (AFRICAN AMERICANS)
A seven-day celebration started in 1966 to honoor Americans of African ancestry. Kwanzaa means "fresh fruits of the harvest" in Swahili. Each day is dedicated to one of seven principles: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.
30. Rizal Day PHILIPPINES
Commemorates the execution of a national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, in 1896.
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RELIGIOUS DAYS
3. Advent CHRISTIAN
The start of the four-week period before Christmas, which is a time of preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ.
8. Bodhi Day BUDDHIST
Celebrates the day of the Buddha's enlightenment. In 596 BC, Siddhartha Gautama sat for seven days under a bo(fig) tree vowing to understand the meaning of life. On the eithh 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.
16. Hanukkah JEWISH
An eight-day festival commemorating the recapture of the Temple of Jerusalem from Syrian Greeks in 165 BC. 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 candelbra). This small supply lasted eight days, and today an eight-branched menorah is lit to remind Jews of the miracle. Begins at sundown the previous day.
25. Christmas CHRISTIAN
Celebrates the biorth 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.
31. Eid al-Adha (Festival of the Sacrifice) ISLAMIC (MUSLIM)
Commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ishamel in obedience to God's word (God interceded by replacing a ram for the child). Muslims in many African countries celebrate with a great feast called Tabaski. Begins at sundown trhe previous day.
Marks the move from winter to summer. Also celebrated by other ancient and modern nature-based religions.
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