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| December | |
|---|---|
| Name | December |
| Number | 12 |
| Previous | November |
| Next | January |
December is the twelfth and final month of the Gregorian and Julian calendars, marking the close of annual cycles in many civic, religious, and cultural systems. It is associated with numerous holidays and festivals across diverse traditions, and it plays a pivotal role in fiscal, academic, and ritual calendars for institutions such as the United Nations, European Union, NATO, and national governments. December's position near the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and the summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere influences agricultural, commercial, and navigational activities managed by organizations like the Food and Agriculture Organization and the International Maritime Organization.
The month's name derives from the Latin word "decem" used by the Roman Kingdom and Roman Republic when the calendar began in March; it retained its numeric name through reforms under Numa Pompilius and later reforms attributed to Julius Caesar and Pope Gregory XIII. Ancient Roman observances tied to December included festivals presided over by officials such as the Pontifex Maximus and rites connected with deities like Saturn. Classical authors such as Pliny the Elder, Ovid, and Varro discussed Roman months and calendrical adjustments that affected December's length and placement.
December follows November and precedes January in the Gregorian calendar and Julian calendar. It has 31 days in both systems, a characteristic set during the calendar reform under Julius Caesar that produced the Julian calendar and later refined by the Gregorian reform. December often terminates fiscal years for national treasuries such as the United States Department of the Treasury, corporate entities listed on stock exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange and London Stock Exchange, and academic years at universities like Harvard University and University of Oxford. International agreements, including those brokered at conferences convened by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change or treaties registered with the United Nations Treaty Collection, frequently set deadlines in December.
December hosts a concentration of religious and secular observances. Major religious festivals include Christmas celebrated by denominations such as the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Anglican Communion, and Lutheran Church, and Hanukkah observed by communities represented by institutions like the Jewish Agency for Israel and Orthodox Union. Secular and civic observances include Human Rights Day as designated by the United Nations General Assembly, World AIDS Day promoted by the World Health Organization, and national holidays like Bodden Town Day and independence anniversaries observed by states such as Kenya or Austria when applicable. Cultural festivals and commercial events include Boxing Day in Commonwealth realms like the United Kingdom and Australia, Saint Nicholas Day traditions connected to municipalities like Amsterdam and Munich, and year-end celebrations orchestrated by broadcasters such as the British Broadcasting Corporation and media conglomerates like NBCUniversal.
December's prominence in literature, music, and visual arts is reflected in works associated with authors and composers like Charles Dickens, Leo Tolstoy, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and George Frideric Handel, and performed by ensembles including the New York Philharmonic and Vienna Philharmonic. Popular culture franchises such as Star Wars, Marvel Comics, and Warner Bros. often schedule major releases and premieres in December to coincide with holiday audiences. Civic rituals—from municipal lightings organized by city governments in places like New York City and Paris to charitable drives run by organizations like the Red Cross and UNICEF—shape public life. Seasonal markets and fairs in cities such as Nuremberg, Prague, and Strasbourg draw tourism managed by national tourism boards like VisitBritain and Atout France.
In the Northern Hemisphere, December typically corresponds with winter conditions monitored by agencies such as the National Weather Service, Met Office, and European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts; phenomena include snowstorms impacting regions like Siberia, Scandinavia, and the Rocky Mountains, and nor'easters affecting the Northeastern United States. In the Southern Hemisphere, December aligns with summer monitored in areas like Australia, South Africa, and Argentina, influencing agricultural calendars overseen by ministries such as the Australian Department of Agriculture and Argentina's Ministry of Agriculture. December's climatological patterns interact with large-scale modes like the El Niño–Southern Oscillation and are subjects of research by institutions such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Numerous significant events across history occurred in December. Military and diplomatic milestones include the Battle of Austerlitz consequences unfolding through December conferences influenced by the Congress of Vienna, and armistices such as those linked to the end of conflicts overseen by the League of Nations and later the United Nations. Political landmarks include declarations, coups, and independence days proclaimed by states like Finland, India, and United Arab Emirates at various Decembers. Cultural and scientific milestones—premieres at institutions like the Metropolitan Opera, launches by agencies such as NASA and European Space Agency, and Nobel Prize ceremonies associated with laureates announced in October but celebrated by institutions and governments in December—underscore the month's historical density.
December contains the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and the summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, events determined by Earth's axial tilt and orbit around the Sun and tracked by observatories such as Palomar Observatory and Mauna Kea Observatories. Annual meteor showers including the Geminids and Ursids peak in December, observed by amateur associations like the International Meteor Organization and professional programs at institutions such as the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Space missions and launches by agencies including NASA, Roscosmos, and JAXA are often scheduled to take advantage of orbital dynamics in December windows, and notable astronomical occurrences such as planetary conjunctions and occultations are cataloged by the International Astronomical Union.
Category:Months