Awarenesses International Sharps Injury Prevention Awareness Month
The month of December is set aside as International Sharps Injury Prevention Awareness. The observance encourages the review of protocols and training. It’s also a time to assess how injuries occur and implement safeguards to improve outcomes.
Operation Santa Paws
December encourages animal lovers to share gifts with animal shelters during the month of December. Started in 2001 in Lang Beach, California, Operation Santa Paws calls all animal lovers to donate blankets, treats, food, toys, supplies, and money for all our loyal furry friends housed in several shelters and rescue centers around the country.
Universal Human Rights Month
This month hosts the global campaign calling for people across the globe to stand up for equality, justice, and the dignity of all human beings. On December 10 in 1948, the United Nations published the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, stating "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood."
Holidays and Observances
St. Nicholas Day is on December 6. Nicholas was the bishop of Myra (now in modern-day Turkey) and is largely thought to be the historical basis of Santa Claus. He was widely known for his generosity. He was reputed to drop gold coins into the drying stockings of three young women for their marriage dowry, saving them from a life of poverty, and cementing the tradition of hanging stockings by the fireplace.
The Winter Solstice marks the shortest day of the year, falling on December 21st this year. Every day after this until mid-June will be slightly longer. More sunlight is coming, but because of the tilt and position of the earth to the sun, it also marks the beginning of winter and the coldest and snowiest season of the year for the northern hemisphere. Christmas Day s celebrated as a Christian commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ and as a public holiday. Did you know the celebration of Christmas was destained in the 17th century in Europe, and it wasn’t until the Victorian era that it became widely embraced?
Hanukkah is an 8-day festival of lights celebrated from Monday, December 19 to Monday, December 26 in 2022. Its origins date to the celebration of the Maccabean victories over the Seleucid king's forces and the Temple's rededication in 164 BCE.
Fun Days
For the end of the year, we thought we’d go with the theme of colors. Every fun day entry has a color in its name.
Eat a Red Apple Day is celebrated on December 1 December 4 is Wear Brown Shoes Day National Brownie Day is on December 8. We’ve already used brown, but who doesn’t like brownies? December 14 is Roast Chestnuts Day National Lemon Cupcake Day is December 15 National Chocolate Covered Anything Day is December 16 December 17 is Maple Syrup Day National Eggnog Day is on December 24 Look for an Evergreen Day on December 19. It’s also Oatmeal Muffin Day
Historical Events
December 6, 1921: Ireland’s 26 southern states form the Irish Republic
December 7, 1941: Pearl Harbor December 8, 1980: John Lennon is assassinated in New York City outside his home December 10, 1901: The first Nobel Peace Prizes were awarded December 14, 1962: The Mariner II probe traveled to within 22,000 miles of Venus, the first contact with another planet December 15, 1791: The Bill of Rights becomes a part of the U.S. Constitution December 19, 1732: Benjamin Franklin first published Poor Richard’s Almanac December 25, 440: Church leaders agree to fix the date of the birth of Christ, replacing dates in May and January that some celebrated December 31, 1781: Thomas Edison publicly demonstrated his electric incandescent lamp at his laboratory in Menlo Park, NJ
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