December is one of the most festivity-filled months, marked by family traditions and holiday celebrations. With 31 days to explore, December is rich with history worth knowing.
So grab a candy cane and follow along as we discuss ten December fun facts!
Famous December Birthdays
- Beethoven: December 16, 1770
- Jane Austen: December 16, 1775
- Emily Dickinson: December 10, 1830
- Walt Disney: December 5, 1901
- Frank Sinatra: December 12, 1915
- Dick Van Dyke: December 13, 1925
December was the original 10th month of the year
While December is famously the 12th month of the year on our Gregorian calendar, that hasn’t always been the case. December marked the 10th month of the Roman calendar, which used to begin in March.
This explains the name December, which translates from the Latin ‘Decem,’ meaning ‘ten.’
December 17, 1903: The First Flight of the Wright Brothers
The Wright Brothers made the first successful flight with their powered aircraft. They flew over the dunes of Kitty Hawk in North Carolina for 12 seconds. This achievement meant that Wilbur and Orville Wright were the first to fly a heavier-than-air machine. It could take off and stay in the air using its own power.
December 21, 1968: Apollo 8 Orbited the Moon
Apollo 8 launched from Cape Canaveral on December 21st, 1968. It was the first human mission to the moon. The crew orbited the moon ten times before landing in the Pacific Ocean on December 27th.
Pictures taken on this mission became essential to the successful moon landing in July of the following year.
December 15, 1791: Bill of Rights Becomes Law
The Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States, became law on December 15, 1791. The amendments confirm the fundamental rights of American citizens.
December 10, 1901: The First Nobel Peace Prize
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of five Nobel prizes established by Alfred Nobel. Historically, the prize has celebrated individuals who have impacted the peace and fraternity shared between nations.
The first Nobel Peace Prize was awarded on December 10th, 1901, the anniversary of Nobel’s death.
They still award the prize in a ceremony on December 10th each year at Oslo City Hall. Notable Nobel Peace Prize winners have included Jimmy Carter, Al Gore, and Barack Obama.
December 1891: The Birth of Basketball
Basketball is one of the biggest sports in the United States. Canadian sports instructor James Naismith originally developed it.
While teaching at Springfield College, James sought ways to entertain restless college students after their football season had ended. It was too cold to practice outside, so Naismith wanted to create an indoor game.
Naismith asked to borrow boxes from the school janitor to use for goals. The janitor returned with two peach baskets, leading to basketball’s birth.
The game is celebrating its 133rd anniversary this December.
December 3, 1983: The End of the Cold War
The Cold War was a 45-year conflict between the United States, the Soviet Union, and their respective allies. Although there was no active fighting during this time, tensions grew. Both countries built up their nuclear stockpiles. The two sides also fought against one another in proxy wars like Korea and Vietnam.
The Cold War officially ended at the ‘Malta Summit’ when Mikhail Gorbachev and George Bush met. Both sides agreed to significant reductions in their troops and weapons during this meeting. Gorbachev assured Bush that he would never ‘…start a hot war against the USA.’
December 25, 336: First Recorded Christmas Celebration
The first recorded Christmas celebration happened on 25th December 336, under the first-ever Christian Emperor – Constantine I.
However, most experts believe that the tradition has a far longer history. For instance, some references mark the presence of the Three Wise Men in Bethlehem in Didascalia, an ancient text from 250 CE. A book of the biographies of Popes also refers to celebrations for the birth of Christ as far back as 125-136 CE. Many experts believe that Christmas celebrations have existed since as long ago as 2 century CE.
December 7, 1941: Pearl Harbor Attack
On December 7th, 1941, the Japanese Navy launched an aerial attack on Pearl Harbor and killed 2,403 people. Pearl Harbor Day now takes place on December 7th to honor the people who lost their lives.
December Tree Sales
Retailers sell approximately 25-30 million Christmas trees across the USA each December. People bring the trees into their homes and decorate them for Christmas celebrations.
This long-standing tradition, as we know it today, first became popular in Germany in the 16th century.
December Dates For Your Calendar
December is historically festive, with Christmas on December 25th each year. However, Christmas isn’t the only festivity to celebrate this month. Here are a few more fun days to add to your celebrations…
- International Day for the Abolition of Slavery: December 2nd each year marks the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery and focuses on eliminating modern-day slavery through education, knowledge, and support.
- National Cookie Day: National Cookie Day happens on December 4th and involves celebrating cookies by making, buying, or eating these sweet treats. There’s also a social media hashtag for sharing your cookie creations – #nationalcookieday.
- Gingerbread House Day: December 12th is Gingerbread House Day, dedicated to making and decorating a festive gingerbread house.
- New Year’s Eve: December 31st is New Year’s Eve and marks the end of the current calendar year. Traditionally, people stay up until midnight to see in the new year and say goodbye to the old one.
- Winter Solstice: The first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere occurs in December each year. This year’s winter solstice will be December 21, 2024. In the Southern Hemisphere, it happens in June.
More History in December
December is a month steeped in history and tradition. Our high-quality lesson plans and videos provide plenty of opportunities for fun December learning. Check out the following free resources to learn more fun facts about December. Or, watch our December Fun Facts Video on YouTube. We wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season.
Zodiac Signs: (Saggitarius, Capricorn)
