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This is the day with the shortest period of daylight in the Northern Hemisphere, when the Sun is at its lowest daily maximum elevation in the sky. At the North Pole there is continuous darkness or twilight , and marks the beginning of Winter, as well as the days get longer and nights shorter untilContinue reading “Winter/Summer Solstice”

Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day This day commemorates the Chinese government assuming formal sovereignty over Macau in 1999. This day is an obligatory holiday in Macau. The Portuguese became the first settlers in the 16th century, and paid an annual rent of Silver to the Chinese, up until 1863. After the Carnation Revolution ofContinue reading “Holidays on 20th December”

Niger Republic Day This date marks the founding of the Republic of Niger, following the constitutional changes of the French Fifth Republic. Nigeriens consider this date to the founding of their national institutions. It was declared a national holiday in 2005. Qatar National Day This day commemorates Qatar’s unification in 1878 by unifying all theContinue reading “Holidays on 18th December”

This day on 17th December was established by Kurdistan parliament in 1993 to celebrate the flag of Kurdistan. Celebrations include dancing and eating.

Bahrain National Day This holidays lasts for two days with the 17th December also a public holiday. It marks former ruler, Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, coming to the throne in 1961. Before then it has been a British protectorate from the 1860s, and gained independence on 15th August 1971 when it underwent an economicContinue reading “Holidays on 16th December”

This day marks the anniversary when the first group of islanders returned to the island after being evacuated during World War Two. The island was taken over by the Nazis and in that time several concentration camps were built until the war ended in 1945. The island was run as a communal farm for twoContinue reading “Alderney Homecoming Day”

This is a Jewish festival commemorating an early victory in the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Empire, the recapture of Jerusalem in the year 164BC, and subsequent rededication of the Second Temple. It is known as the Festival of Lights. It is observed for 8 nights and days, starting on the 25th day of KislevContinue reading “Hanukkah”

This is an unofficial holiday created in 2000 by artists Casey Sorrow and Eric Millikin. This day celebrates all monkeys and other non-human primates such as apes, tarsiers and lemurs. It has grown in popularity since they celebrated it with students at Michigan State University, exhibiting their artwork to popularise the event.

Feast of St Lucy St Lucy is a virgin and martyr of Syracuse in Sicily. She was born to rich and noble parents in 283. Like so many of the early martyrs, she consecrated her virginity to God, and she hoped to devote all her worldly goods to the service of the poor. Her mother,Continue reading “Holidays on 13th December”

Jamhuri Day This is a national holiday in Kenya. Jamhuri is the Swahili word for “republic” and the holiday marks the date when Kenya became a republic in 1963. It gained self-rule on 1st June 1963, and Independence on 12th December of the same year. It is regarded as the country’s most important day, markedContinue reading “Holidays on 12th December”