December is the twelfth and final month of the year in the Gregorian calendar. It is one of the seven months that have 31 days. December is a time of year when many people celebrate holidays, including Christmas and Hanukkah. It is also a time when people start to think about the coming year and make plans for New Year's Eve.
December is named after the Latin word "decem," which means "ten." This is because December was originally the tenth month of the Roman calendar. When Julius Caesar added July and August to the calendar, December became the twelfth month.
December is a month of contrasts. It is a time of both joy and sadness, celebration and reflection. It is a time to look back on the past year and to look forward to the year to come.
what month is dec
December is the twelfth month of the year.
- 31 days
- Winter solstice
- Christmas
- Hanukkah
- Kwanzaa
- New Year's Eve
- Boxing Day
- Festivus
December is a time of celebration and reflection.
31 days
December is one of the seven months of the year that has 31 days. The other months with 31 days are January, March, May, July, August, and October. These months are known as "long months" because they have more days than the other months of the year.
There are a few different theories about why December has 31 days. One theory is that the Roman emperor Julius Caesar added an extra day to December in 46 BC so that the month would have the same number of days as the month of July, which was named after him.
Another theory is that December has 31 days because it is the month of the winter solstice. The winter solstice is the day with the shortest amount of daylight and the longest amount of darkness. It occurs on December 21 or 22 each year.
Regardless of why December has 31 days, it is a month that is full of activity and celebration. It is a time for people to come together and celebrate the holidays with family and friends.
December is also a time for people to reflect on the past year and to make plans for the coming year. It is a time to let go of the old and to embrace the new.
Winter solstice
The winter solstice is the day with the shortest amount of daylight and the longest amount of darkness. It occurs on December 21 or 22 each year in the Northern Hemisphere.
- Shortest day of the year
The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year because the Earth's axis is tilted away from the sun.
- Longest night of the year
The winter solstice is also the longest night of the year because there is less daylight and more darkness.
- Astronomical event
The winter solstice is an astronomical event that occurs when the sun reaches its lowest point in the sky.
- Celebrated around the world
The winter solstice is celebrated around the world in many different ways. Some cultures celebrate it as a time of rebirth and renewal, while others celebrate it as a time of rest and reflection.
The winter solstice is a significant event in many cultures because it marks the changing of the seasons. It is a time to reflect on the past year and to look forward to the year to come.
Christmas
Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated on December 25th each year. Christmas is one of the most popular holidays in the world and is celebrated by people of all faiths and backgrounds.
The traditions of Christmas vary from country to country, but some common traditions include exchanging gifts, decorating a Christmas tree, singing Christmas carols, and attending church services. Christmas is also a time for family and friends to come together and celebrate.
In the United States, Christmas is a federal holiday. Many businesses and schools are closed on Christmas Day. Families often gather together for a special Christmas dinner and exchange gifts. Santa Claus is a popular figure in American Christmas celebrations. He is said to deliver gifts to children on Christmas Eve.
Christmas is a time of joy and celebration for many people around the world. It is a time to reflect on the past year and to look forward to the year to come.
Even if you do not celebrate Christmas, you may still enjoy some of the traditions associated with the holiday, such as decorating a Christmas tree or listening to Christmas music.
Hanukkah
Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BC. It is also known as the Festival of Lights.
- Eight days and nights
Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days and nights. It begins on the 25th day of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, which usually falls in December.
- Miracle of the oil
Hanukkah commemorates the miracle of the oil. According to legend, a small amount of oil that was only supposed to last for one day miraculously lasted for eight days.
- Lighting the menorah
One of the main traditions of Hanukkah is lighting the menorah. The menorah is a candelabrum with nine branches. One candle is lit on the first night of Hanukkah, two candles are lit on the second night, and so on. By the eighth night of Hanukkah, all nine candles are lit.
- Other traditions
Other Hanukkah traditions include playing dreidel, eating latkes (potato pancakes), and exchanging gifts.
Hanukkah is a joyous holiday that is celebrated by Jewish people all over the world. It is a time to come together with family and friends and to celebrate the miracle of Hanukkah.
Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday that celebrates African heritage and culture. It is celebrated from December 26th to January 1st each year.
- Seven principles
Kwanzaa is based on seven principles, which are: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.
- Kinara
One of the main symbols of Kwanzaa is the kinara. The kinara is a candleholder with seven candles. Three candles are red, three candles are green, and one candle is black. The candles are lit one by one, starting with the black candle in the center.
- Karamu
Another important tradition of Kwanzaa is the karamu. The karamu is a feast that is held on the last day of Kwanzaa. The feast typically includes traditional African dishes.
- Gifts
Gifts are also exchanged during Kwanzaa. The gifts are typically handmade or have a special meaning.
Kwanzaa is a joyous holiday that is celebrated by African-American people all over the world. It is a time to come together with family and friends and to celebrate African heritage and culture.
New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve is the last day of the year. It is celebrated on December 31st each year. New Year's Eve is a time for people to reflect on the past year and to look forward to the year to come.
New Year's Eve is celebrated in many different ways around the world. Some common traditions include watching fireworks, attending parties, and making New Year's resolutions.
In the United States, New Year's Eve is often celebrated with a countdown to midnight. When the clock strikes midnight, people cheer and wish each other a happy new year. Some people also kiss at midnight as a symbol of love and good luck.
New Year's Eve is a time for joy and celebration. It is a time to let go of the old and to embrace the new. It is a time to reflect on the past and to look forward to the future.
No matter how you choose to celebrate New Year's Eve, it is a special time of year. It is a time to come together with family and friends and to celebrate the start of a new year.
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a holiday that is celebrated on December 26th each year. It is the day after Christmas Day. Boxing Day is a public holiday in many countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The origins of Boxing Day are unclear, but there are a few different theories. One theory is that Boxing Day was originally a day when people gave gifts to the poor. Another theory is that Boxing Day was a day when servants and tradespeople were given a day off and a gift from their employers.
Today, Boxing Day is a day for shopping, sports, and other activities. Many people take advantage of the post-Christmas sales to buy gifts for themselves and others. Boxing Day is also a popular day for sporting events, such as horse racing and soccer matches.
In some countries, Boxing Day is also a day for charitable giving. People may donate money or goods to organizations that help the poor and needy.
Boxing Day is a day of relaxation and enjoyment for many people. It is a day to spend time with family and friends and to reflect on the past year.
Festivus
Festivus is a secular holiday that is celebrated on December 23rd each year. It was created by American writer Dan O'Keefe in 1966 as a way to celebrate the holiday season with his family and friends.
Festivus is a unique holiday with its own set of traditions and rituals. One of the most well-known Festivus traditions is the "airing of grievances." During the airing of grievances, each person present takes turns complaining about the things that have annoyed them over the past year. Another popular Festivus tradition is the "feats of strength." During the feats of strength, the head of the household (or another designated person) challenges another person to a wrestling match.
Festivus is also known for its unique decorations. The most common Festivus decoration is the Festivus pole. The Festivus pole is a metal pole that is undecorated except for a single aluminum ornament at the top. The Festivus pole is typically placed in a corner of the room.
Festivus is a lighthearted holiday that is meant to be enjoyed with family and friends. It is a time to reflect on the past year and to look forward to the year to come.
Although Festivus was originally created as a family holiday, it has since become more popular and is now celebrated by people all over the world.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about months:
Question 1: How many months are there in a year?
Answer: There are 12 months in a year.
Question 2: What are the names of the 12 months?
Answer: The names of the 12 months are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, and December.
Question 3: How many days are in a month?
Answer: Most months have 31 days. However, February has 28 days (or 29 days in a leap year). April, June, September, and November also have 30 days.
Question 4: What is the longest month?
Answer: July and August are both 31 days long, so they are the longest months.
Question 5: What is the shortest month?
Answer: February is the shortest month, with only 28 days (or 29 days in a leap year).
Question 6: What is the origin of the names of the months?
Answer: The names of the months come from a variety of sources, including Roman gods and goddesses, Latin words, and Old English words.
Question 7: How do leap years work?
Answer: Leap years are years that have 366 days instead of the usual 365 days. Leap years occur every four years, except for years that are divisible by 100 but not by 400.
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These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about months. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.
Now that you know more about months, here are a few tips for keeping track of them:
Tips
Here are a few tips for keeping track of months:
Tip 1: Use a calendar. A calendar is a great way to keep track of the days, weeks, and months. You can hang a calendar on your wall, keep one on your desk, or use a digital calendar on your phone or computer.
Tip 2: Pay attention to the seasons. The seasons are a natural way to keep track of the months. In the Northern Hemisphere, winter is from December to February, spring is from March to May, summer is from June to August, and autumn (or fall) is from September to November.
Tip 3: Remember the number of days in each month. Most months have 31 days. However, February has 28 days (or 29 days in a leap year). April, June, September, and November also have 30 days.
Tip 4: Use mnemonic devices. Mnemonic devices are memory aids that can help you remember information. For example, you can use the following mnemonic device to remember the number of days in each month: * Thirty days hath September, April, June, and November. All the rest have thirty-one, Saving February alone, Which hath twenty-eight, rain or shine. And on leap year's day twenty-nine.
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By following these tips, you can easily keep track of the months.
Now that you know more about months and how to keep track of them, you can use this information to plan your year and make the most of your time.
Conclusion
Months are a fundamental unit of time that help us organize our lives. They are used to track the changing seasons, plan events, and celebrate holidays. Each month has its own unique characteristics and traditions.
In this article, we explored the different aspects of months, including their names, lengths, and origins. We also discussed some of the holidays and events that are associated with each month.
Whether you are planning a trip, scheduling a meeting, or simply trying to keep track of your busy life, understanding the months is essential. By learning more about months, you can make the most of your time and enjoy all that each month has to offer.
Closing Message
I hope this article has been helpful. If you have any other questions about months, please feel free to ask.