Trivial Facts About December

It Isn't Just About Holidays, Presents, Last-Minute Shopping

When you think of December, do thoughts of Christmas come to mind? There is a lot more to December than holidays, presents and last minute shopping. There are other holidays during the month, many famous people celebrate their birthday in December and many historic events took place during the last month of the year.

Read on to learn some trivial facts about December.

Basic Facts

December comes from the Latin word decem which means ten. It was originally the tenth month of the year in the Roman calendar which began with March. When January and February were added to the Roman calendar, December became the twelfth month of the Gregorian calendar. It is one of the seven months that has thirty one days.

Birthstones

December has several birthstones. The traditional birthstones are turquoise, lapis lazuli and zircon. Turquoise is also listed as a modern birthstone for the month along with blue topaz. In 2002, tanzanite was added to the modern birthstone list for December.

Flower

The flower for the month of December is the narcissus which symbolizes self-love, self-esteem and vanity. According to Greek mythology, a youth named Narcissus was gazing down at his himself in a pond of water. He fell in love with his own reflection. While kneeling beside the pond, he fell into the water and drowned. The narcissus plant sprang up from the place where he died.

Astrological Signs

Sagittarius and Capricorn are the astrological signs for December. Birthdays from December 1st through the 21st fall under the sign of Sagittarius. December 22nd through the 30th birthdays fall under the sign of Capricorn.

December Holidays and Observances

The most well known holiday of the month is Christmas Day, December 25th.

The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah usually begins in December. The dates vary from year to year. Some years Hanukkah begins in late November.

Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26th to January 1st. This weeklong holiday honors African heritage and culture.

In the northern hemisphere, the winter solstice or shortest day of the year occurs and winter begins. This takes place on December 21 or 22.