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NOVEMBER |
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18 November |
Independence Day (Latvia/Morocco) |
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18 November |
National Day (Oman) |
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19 November |
Sultan’s birthday (Oman) |
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19 November |
National Day (Monaco) |
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20 November |
Africa Industrialisation Day |
UN decreed |
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20 November |
Universal Children’s Day |
The United Nations General Assembly designated Universal Children's Day in 1953.It is a day when children are honoured by special ceremonies and festivals to make children's needs known to governments. It is observed on different days in different ways in more than 120 countries. |
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21 November |
World Television Day |
In 1996, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 November as World Television Day. Member states are invited to observe the day by encouraging global exchange of television programs focusing on issues such as peace, security, economic and social development and the enhancement of cultural exchanges. |
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21 November |
World Hello Day |
Anyone can participate in World Hello Day simply by greeting ten people. This demonstrates the importance of personal communication for preserving peace. World Hello Day was begun in response to the conflict between Egypt and Israel in the Fall of 1973. Since then, World Hello Day has been observed by people in 180 countries. People around the world use the occasion as an opportunity to express their concern for world peace. Beginning with a simple greeting on World Hello Day, their activities send a message to leaders, encouraging them to use communication rather than force to settle conflicts. |
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22 November |
Independence Day (Lebanon) |
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24 November* |
Guru Teg Bahadur’s Martyrdom Day (Sikh) |
Guru Teg Bahadur (1621‑1675) was the ninth of ten Sikh gurus. He was executed in Delhi for upholding the Sikh faith and pursuing the right of religious liberty. |
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25 November |
National Day (Suriname) |
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25 November |
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
White Ribbon Day |
In 1999, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The date commemorates the political assassination of the Mirabal sisters in the Dominican Republic in 1960. The UN was concerned to raise awareness of the fact that endemic violence against women was impeding women's opportunities to achieve legal, social, political and economic equality in society. |
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25 November |
National Day (Suriname) |
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25 November |
Statehood Day (Bosnia and Herzegovina) |
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26 November |
Christmas Fast (Coptic/Orthodox) |
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26 November |
Day of the Covenant (Baha’i) |
This day celebrates Baha’u’llah’s appointment of His son, Abdu’l-Baha, as the Centre of the Covenant, to whom His followers should turn after His passing.Suspension of work is not obligatory on this holy day. |
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27 November* |
Thanksgiving Day (USA) |
The first Thanksgiving Day was held by Plymouth Plantation colonists in 1621. It was a three‑day feast to celebrate their first harvest. 'Thanksgiving Day' was first proclaimed by President George Washington in 1789 as a day for public prayer and thanksgiving. Various dates for this occasion were used in the ensuing years until 1941 when President Roosevelt set it at the fourth Thursday in November. The day is symbolised by the cornucopia, the horn of plenty. |
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28 November |
Proclamation of Independence Day (East Timor) |
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28 November |
National Day (Albania/Mauritania) |
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28 November |
Ascension of Abdu’l-Baha (Baha’i) |
This day marks the passing of Abdu’l-Baha, son of Baha’u’llah, the prophet-founder of the Baha’i Faith, in 1921.Suspension of work is not obligatory on this holy day. |
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29 November |
International Day for Solidarity with Palestinian People (Palestine) |
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30 November |
St Andrew’s Day (Scotland)
(Christian) |
St Andrew, one of Christ's apostles was crucified by the Romans on an X‑shaped cross. Scotland's flag today is the Cross of St Andrew. Although the reasons why he became the patron saint of Scotland have been lost in time, this feast day (St Andrew's Day) has been on the Scottish calendar for more than one thousand years. St Andrew's Day is not a public holiday however it is still celebrated wherever people of Scottish descent gather. |
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30 November |
Independence Day (Barbados) |
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30 November* |
First Sunday of Advent (Christian) |
30, 7, 14, 21 Sundays of Advent 2008. Advent, which means “coming” or “arrival,” marks the beginning of the Western Christian ecclesiastical year. It begins on the Sunday nearest to the Feast of St. Andrew on November 30, and continues through Christmas Eve, encompassing four Sundays. Originally observed with fasting and penitence as a period during which converts to Christianity prepared themselves for baptism, Advent became during the Middle Ages a time to prepare for the Second Coming of Christ. Advent is now a solemn yet joyful season of prayer, reflection, and preparation for celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ in his First Advent, as well as a time to ready oneself in anticipation of Christ’s Second Coming. The Orthodox Christian churches do not have an Advent season, but rather have Winter Lent, a 40-day Lenten season of fasting, prayer, and reflection ending on Christmas Eve |
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DECEMBER |
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1 December |
World AIDS Day |
In 1988, a World Summit of Ministers of Health on Programs of AIDS Prevention called for the opening of channels of communication worldwide. They wanted to strengthen the exchange of information and experience for dealing with AIDS and to promote a spirit of social tolerance. World AIDS Day receives support from the World Health Assembly, the United Nations and governments and communities around the world. |
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1 December |
National Day (Central African Republic/
Romania) |
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2 December |
National Day (Laos/
United Arab Emirates) |
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2 December |
International Day for the Abolition of Slavery |
This day commemorates the decision by the United Nations General Assembly to adopt the 'Convention for the Suppression of Traffic in Persons and the Exploitation of Others' in 1949. It is important that new forms of exploitation and oppression are not allowed to occur and that old forms of slavery are eradicated. |
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3 December |
International Day of People with a DisAbility |
In October 1992 the United Nations General Assembly declared 3 December as International Day of Disabled Persons. In 1997, Australia renamed this observance as the International Day of People with a DisAbility in recognition of the abilities and achievements of people living with disabilities |
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5 December |
International Volunteer Day |
The UN Commission for Social Development calls on governments to establish fiscal and legislative frameworks supportive of volunteering, to undertake research into aspects of volunteering and its impact on society, and to ensure that citizens have access to information on opportunities for volunteering. |
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5 December |
King’s Birthday (Thailand) |
(National Day) |
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6 December |
St Nicholas’ Day |
St Nicholas' Day is widely observed in Europe as the time when children receive presents (often instead of Christmas Day). According to tradition, St Nicholas was the Bishop of Myra in the 4th century. His reputation for kind and generous deeds gave rise to legends of miracles he performed. The legend of St Nicholas moved from country to country and varied across the centuries, as did his name. During the 19th century the image of Santa Claus as a kind old man who gave gifts to good children was adopted. Since then St Nicholas has remained the patron saint of gift‑giving to celebrate Christmas. |
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6 December |
Independence Day (Finland) |
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6 December |
Constitution Day (Spain) |
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7 December |
International Civil Aviation Day |
United Nations |
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7 – 9 December* |
Hajjcommences (Islamic) |
The Hajj is the annual pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. All Muslims who are able are required to make the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. The Hajj, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, begins on the eighth day of the last month of the Islamic lunar year. The Hajj is a time for reflection and celebration, when more than two million Muslims from around the world gather together to celebrate their faith. At Mecca, the pilgrims perform many rituals, including walking seven times around the sacred shrine of Kaaba. The culmination of the Hajj is the three-day festival of Eid al-Adha (The Feast of Sacrifice), the most important feast of the Muslim calendar. Since Islamic holidays are based on the lunar calendar, the Hajj may occur twice in the same year. |
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8 December |
Bodhi Day (Rohatsu/Buddhist) |
In the Northern or Mahayana tradition, Bodhi Day celebrates Buddha's Enlightenment, the second most important event of Buddha's life. |
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8 December |
Immaculate Conception Day (Roman Catholic) |
Celebration of the belief that Mary, mother of Jesus, was preserved from original sin all of her life. A day of obligation and required church attendance. |
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10 December |
Constitution Day (Thailand) |
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11 December |
International Mountain Day |
UN decreed |
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11 December |
National Day
(Burkina Faso) |
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11 December* |
Eid-ul-Adha
(Islamic) |
Feast of Sacrifice. This three-day festival comes at the culmination of the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca, which is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. All Muslims who can are required to make this pilgrimage once in their lifetime. Mecca and Medina, both in Saudi Arabia, are Islam’s two holiest sites. This religious observance commemorates the story of Abraham and Ishmail as told in the Qur’an. God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his only son as a proof of his faith. Before Abraham completed the sacrifice, God stopped him and provided a ram for sacrifice in place of Ishmail. The Eid al-Adha celebration commences with a congregational prayer and sermon, or khutba, at the mosque. This is followed by visiting friends and relatives, feasting, and other festive activities. Since Islamic holidays are based on the lunar calendar, the festival of Eid al-Adha may occur twice in the same year. |
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12 December |
National Day (Kenya) |
(Jamhuri) |
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12 December |
Day of the Virgin, (Guadalupe Mexico) |
Honours legendary appearance of the Virgin Mary near Mexico City in 1531 c.e. |
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13 December |
Republic Day (Malta) |
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15 December |
Constitution Day (Nepal) |
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16 December |
National Day
(Bahrain/ Kazakhstan) |
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16 December |
Reconciliation Day (South Africa) |
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16 – 24 December |
Las Posadas (Mexico) |
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17 December |
National Day (Bhutan) |
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18 December |
National Day (Niger) |
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18 December |
International Migrants’ Day |
This day is to recognise the large and growing contribution made to the global economy by the world's more than 100 million migrant workers, immigrants and their families. |
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19 December |
St Nicholas’ Day (Orthodox) |
Some Catholic and Orthodox churches follow the old Julian calendar when they celebrate holy days. Consequently, congregations following the Julian calendar celebrate St Nicholas' Day 13 days later than those using the Gregorian calendar. |
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19 December |
United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation |
UN decreed |
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20 December |
International Human Solidarity Day |
UN |
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21 December |
Yule
(Christian/Wicca/
Neo Pagan) |
Celebration of the light dawning in Jesus.Also a Norse pagan celebration of the winter-born king, symbolised by the rebirth of the sun.A present-day Wicca event. |
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21 December |
Proclamation Day (Ireland) |
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22 December |
Summer Solstice |
Today the sun is at its greatest distance from the celestial equator thus creating the longest day (daylight hours) of the year in the southern hemisphere. |
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22 - 29 December* |
Hanukkah/
Chanukah
(Jewish) |
This holiday, often misunderstood as the “Jewish Christmas” since it occurs in This Oftenmisunderstood as the “Jewish Christmas” since it occurs December, commemorates the victory of the Jewish people, led by the Maccabee family, over the Syrian Greeks in 165 B.C.E. This victory marked the end of a 3-year period of religious persecution, restored Jewish independence, and ensured the survival of monotheism (belief in one God). According to legend, when the Jews returned to cleanse their Temple, which had been defiled by pagan worship, they discovered only enough consecrated oil to keep the holy lamp burning for one day. However, the oil miraculously lasted 8 days, the time needed to secure a new supply. Hanukkah is celebrated by lighting a candle on each of the eight days of celebration. On the first night, one candle is lit in a branched candlestick called a menorah, and an additional candle is lit each night until the eighth night. This ceremony has given the holiday the additional name of “Festival of Lights.” Hanukkah is joyfully celebrated. Special Hebrew hymns, including “Rock of Ages,” are sung, family members exchange gifts, and children play with a dreidel, a four-sided top inscribed with the Hebrew letters for “a great miracle happened there.” Potato pancakes, or latkes, are a traditional food treat, with the oil used for cooking recalling the oil in the sacred lamp. |
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23 December |
Emperor’s Birthday (Japan) |
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24 December |
Christmas Eve (Christian and Greek Orthodox) |
A Christian celebration of the arrival of Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus. Although Christmas Eve is not particularly celebrated in English-speaking countries, in European countries religious ceremonies and celebrations such as lighting a yule log or having a special Christmas meal after attending church take place. Some traditional stories associated with Christmas Eve are that animals can talk, water turns to wine and hidden treasures are revealed. |
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25 December |
Christmas Day (Christian and Greek Orthodox) |
On Christmas Day, Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is the most widely celebrated Christian festival. Families gather to attend church services, sing carols, exchange gifts and enjoy special Christmas food. |
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25 December |
Anniversary (Russia) |
Anniversary of dissolution of USSR |
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25 December |
Constitution Day (Taiwan) |
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26 December |
Boxing Day |
This day's name comes from the tradition of opening alms boxes placed in churches during the Christmas season. The contents of these alms boxes were distributed to the poor and needy of the parish. |
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26 December |
Kwanzaa |
Kwanzaa, pronounced KWAHN zuh, is an Afro-American holiday based on the traditional African festival of the harvest of the first crops. Celebrated around the world by millions of people of African descent, the week-long holiday of Kwanzaa was developed by the American scholar, a professor of Pan-African studies, black cultural leader and activist, Dr Maulana Karenga, in 1966. It takes place from December 26 to January 1, a time that some African cultures called 'the edges of the time when the year meet' and is traditionally spent in celebration, focus and assessment. The word Kwanzaa, sometimes spelled Kwanza, means 'first fruits of harvest' in Swahili. It combines traditional African practices with Afro-American aspirations and ideals. |
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26 December |
St Stephen’s Day
(Christian) |
Remembering St Stephen, the first Christian martyr. |
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29 December* |
Al-Hijra/Muharram
(Muslim) |
Islamic New Year. In the Islamic calendar, New Year is celebrated on the first day of the first month, Moharram. The Islamic New Year is celebrated relatively quietly, with prayers and readings and reflection upon the hegira. |
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30 December |
Rizal Day (Philippines) |
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31 December |
Watch Night
(Christian |
Occasion to thank God for bringing people safely through another year.Developed by the African American community in the USA at the time of Emancipation 1863. |
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31 December |
New Year’s Eve / Hogmanay |
Hogmanay is the Scottish New Year's Eve celebration. At midnight people farewell the old year and welcome in the new year by drinking a 'toast' and holding hands to sing 'Auld Lang Syne'. Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind? (Should we forget old friends?) Should auld acquaintance be forgot and the days of auld lang syne? (Should we forget old friends and the days of long ago?). |
