50 Fun Facts About December: Winter’s Festive Finale
Discover the magic and wonder of the year’s final month with these fascinating facts about December. As winter settles in across the Northern Hemisphere, this month brings a unique blend of holiday cheer, cultural traditions, and natural phenomena.
From ancient celebrations to modern observances, December month is packed with intriguing history and captivating events. Let’s unwrap the secrets of December and explore what makes this month so special.
December Facts At-a-Glance
When: Twelfth month of the Gregorian calendar
Days: 31
Birthstone: Turquoise, Tanzanite, and Zircon
Flower: Narcissus (Paperwhite) and Holly
Zodiac Signs: Sagittarius (Nov 22 – Dec 21), Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 19)
Season: Winter in Northern Hemisphere, Summer in Southern Hemisphere
Notable Holidays: Christmas Day (Dec 25), Boxing Day (Dec 26, various countries), Hanukkah (dates vary), Kwanzaa (Dec 26 – Jan 1), New Year’s Eve (Dec 31)
Historical Significance of December
December has played a crucial role in shaping human history and culture. From ancient Roman traditions to modern-day celebrations, this month has been a time of reflection, festivity, and new beginnings for centuries.
- The name “December” comes from the Latin word “decem,” meaning ten, as it was originally the tenth month in the Roman calendar.
- In the ancient Roman calendar, December had only 29 days.
- The Julian calendar, introduced by Julius Caesar in 45 BCE, gave December 31 days.
- December was originally the tenth month in the Roman calendar before January and February were added.
- The winter solstice, typically occurring on December 21 or 22, marks the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
Suggested Read: 25 Fun Facts About Winter: The Season of Snow
December’s Cultural and Religious Significance
December is a month rich in cultural and religious traditions, with numerous holidays and observances taking place around the world.
- Christmas, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, is observed on December 25th by many Christians worldwide.
- Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, often falls in December, lasting eight nights.
- Kwanzaa, a week-long celebration of African American culture, begins on December 26th.
- Saint Nicholas Day is celebrated on December 6th in many European countries.
- The ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia was held in mid-December, influencing many modern Christmas traditions.
Natural Phenomena and Weather in December
December brings unique natural events and weather patterns, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere where winter takes hold.
- The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular of the year, peaks in mid-December.
- The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) are often more visible in December due to longer nights.
- December marks the beginning of the wet season in many parts of the Southern Hemisphere.
- The coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth (-128.6°F/-89.2°C) was in Antarctica on December 21, 1983.
- The North Pole experiences 24 hours of darkness in December due to its tilt away from the sun.
From Polar Nights to Sunny States:
December Birthstones and Flowers
December boasts multiple birthstones and a flower that symbolize the month’s unique characteristics.
- Turquoise, one of December’s birthstones, is believed to bring good fortune and protection.
- Zircon, another December birthstone, comes in a variety of colors but is most popular in its blue form.
- Tanzanite, the third birthstone, was discovered in Tanzania in 1967 and is rarer than diamonds.
- The narcissus, December’s birth flower, symbolizes good wishes, faithfulness, and respect.
- Holly, also associated with December, represents defense and domestic happiness.
Famous December Birthdays
Many notable figures throughout history were born in December, leaving their mark on various fields.
- Sir Isaac Newton, the influential physicist and mathematician, was born on December 25, 1642 (Old Style calendar).
- Ludwig van Beethoven, the renowned composer, was baptized on December 17, 1770, while his exact birth date remains unknown.
- Walt Disney, the pioneering animator and entrepreneur, was born on December 5, 1901.
- Jane Austen, the celebrated English novelist, was born on December 16, 1775.
- Louis Pasteur, the groundbreaking chemist and microbiologist, was born on December 27, 1822.
December in Popular Culture
December has inspired numerous works of art, literature, and music, becoming a significant part of popular culture.
- “December” is the title of a popular song by the rock band Collective Soul.
- The poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (also known as “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”) was first published anonymously in December 1823.
- Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” was first published on December 19, 1843.
- The classic film “It’s a Wonderful Life” premiered on December 20, 1946.
- Many popular Christmas songs, such as “White Christmas” and “Jingle Bells,” were written about December weather and traditions.
Unique December Traditions Around the World
Different cultures celebrate December in unique ways, showcasing the diversity of global traditions.
- The Giant Lantern Festival (also known as Ligligan Parul) is held in San Fernando, Philippines, in December, featuring intricate lanterns up to 40 feet tall.
- In Japan, eating KFC on Christmas Eve has become a popular tradition since the 1970s. The tradition began when KFC launched its “Kentucky for Christmas” campaign in 1974. [Suggested Read: 88 Fun Facts About Kentucky: The Bluegrass State]
- In Venezuela, it’s tradition to roller skate to Christmas mass in Caracas during December. This tradition is called “las patinatas,” which translates to “the skating”.
- The Krampus Run (Krampuslauf) takes place throughout December in various Alpine regions of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.
- In Sweden, the St. Lucia Day celebration on December 13th involves a procession led by a girl wearing a crown of candles.
Discover More European Cities:
December’s Impact on Nature and Wildlife
The changing seasons in December significantly affect wildlife behavior and natural cycles.
- Most bears enter hibernation before December, using the month to maintain deep sleep.
- December marks the start of the breeding season for gray seals in the UK.
- Monarch butterflies complete their migration to Mexico by December, where they overwinter.
- The December moth, active during winter months, is one of the few moth species that can withstand cold temperatures.
- In the Southern Hemisphere, December sees the blooming of many native plants like the New Zealand Christmas Tree.
Suggested Read: 89 Facts About Auckland (New Zealand): The City of Sails
December’s Economic Significance
December plays a crucial role in the global economy, particularly due to holiday shopping and year-end financial activities.
- Many businesses experience their highest sales volumes in December due to holiday shopping.
- The stock market often experiences the “Santa Claus Rally,” a trend of stock prices rising in the last week of December.
- December retail sales typically peak during the two weeks before Christmas Day.
- Many corporations set December 31st as their fiscal year-end, making it one of the busiest months for financial reporting, tax planning, and business budgeting worldwide.
- December 26th, known as Boxing Day in some countries, is a major shopping day with significant sales and discounts.
Astronomical Events in December
December offers several fascinating astronomical phenomena for stargazers and space enthusiasts.
- The Andromeda Galaxy (also known as Messier 31) is often visible to the naked eye in the Northern Hemisphere during clear December nights.
- December’s full moon is traditionally known as the “Cold Moon” or “Long Nights Moon.”
- The Ursid meteor shower occurs annually in late December, peaking around December 21-22.
- The Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn occurred on December 21, 2020, the closest since 1623.
- On December 14, 1962, Mariner 2 became the first spacecraft to fly by Venus, marking a milestone in space exploration.
Explore Fascinating Facts About Other Months:
- 50 Fun Facts About January: A Frosty Start to the New Year
- 50 Interesting Facts About February: The Month of Love
- 50 Interesting Facts About March: Spring’s Arrival
- 50 Fun Facts About April: Diamond Days & Daisy Ways
- 50 Fun Facts About May: Blooming with Surprises
- 50 Fun Facts About June: Summer’s Sweet Arrival
- 50 Fun Facts About July: The Sizzling Heart of Summer
- 50 Fun Facts About August: Summer’s Grand Finale
- 50 Fun Facts About September: Autumn’s Golden Gateway
- 50 Fun Facts About October: Autumn’s Golden Month
- 50 Fun Facts About November: A Month of Transition