December Calendar of Holidays, Events, and Celebrations For Teachers
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December 1st - United Nation's World AIDS Day - Every year on December 1st people and organizations participate in activities to raise awareness about AIDS. For more information, visit this website.
December 2nd - John Brown was Executed - On December 2, 1859 John Brown was hanged. He was a militant American abolitionist. He led a raid on the federal armory and was captured. His death is considered one of the leading factors that led to the American Civil War. To learn more, visit this website.
December 2nd - Monroe Doctrine - On December 2, 1823 what would later be called the "Monroe Doctrine," was set into motion. President James Monroe announced a new policy that would close the U.S. from future European colonies and interference.
December 3rd - Illinois becomes a State - On December 3, 1818 Illinois was admitted to the union as the 21st state.
December 4th - The Mary Celeste is Sighted - On December 4, 1872 the ship called the "Mary Celeste" was sighted abandoned and drifting off the coast of Portugal. The ship has a deep dark history. The Captain, his wife, child, and the other crew members simply vanished from the ship. Never to be seen again. There was no sign of foul play or damage to the ship.
December 5th - Montgomery Bus Boycott - On December 5, 1955, the Montgomery Bus Boycott started because on December 1, 1955 Rosa Parks, an African American, refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white man. The boycott lasted until December 20, 1956. The U.S. Supreme Court declared the laws in Alabama and Montgomery were illegal and at that time segregation between whites and African American's ended.
December 6th - Harriet Tubman Escaped from Slavery - On December 6, 1849 Harriet Tubman, an African American slave, escaped and headed north. Harriet Tubman did great things to help other slaves escape to freedom through underground tunnels.
December 7th - Pearl Harbor is Bombed - On December 7, 1941 a surprise attack by the Japanese on the U.S. Pacific fleet at Pearl Harbor. This event is how the U.S. got involved in World War Two.
December 8th - U.S. Enters World War Two - On December 8, 1941, one day after the Pearl Harbor bombing, America declared war on Japan.
December 10th - Spanish American War Ends - On December 10, 1898 the Treaty of Paris was signed, putting an end to the Spanish American War.
December 10th - Human Rights Day - On December 10 every year Human Rights Day is celebrated. It is the anniversary of the day the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This event occurred on December 10, 1948.
December 11th - Indiana Becomes a State - On December 11, 1816 Indiana joined the union and became a state.
December 12th - First U.S. Newspaper Published - On December 12, 1719 the first newspaper was published, it was the "Boston Gazette."
December 12th - John Jay's Birthday - One of America's founding father's and co-author of the "Federalist Papers." He was born on December 12, 1745.
December 13th - The Battle of Fredericksburg - On December 13, 1862 the Battle of Fredericksburg is one of the most remembered and "one-sided" battles fought during the American Civil War. It was between the army of the Potomac and army of the Virginia.
December 14th - Alabama Becomes a State - The state of Alabama joined the union on December 14, 1819, making it the 22nd state.
December 14th - George Washington Died - The first President of the United States died at the age of 67 on December 14, 1799.
December 15th - The Bill of Rights Day - On December 15, 1791 the first ten amendments of the United States became a law to.
December 16th - The Battle of the Bulge Starts - On December 16, 1944 the largest battle of World War Two involving the United States took place.
December 16th - The Boston Tea Party - On December 16, 1773, the Boston Tea Party took place in Boston, Massachusetts. It was a very important part in the starting of the American Revolution.
December 17th - The Wright Brother's First Flight - Not only was it the Wright Brother's first flight, it was also the first successful airplane flight in history. On December 17, 1903 Orville and Wilbur flew their plane at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
December 20th - The Louisiana Purchase - On December 20, 1803 the U.S. got more than 5 million acres of land from France, it doubled the size of the United States.
December 21st - The Pilgrims Come Ashore - On December 21, 1621 the first pilgrims came ashore from England to North America, landing on Plymouth Rock. To
December 22nd - Winter Begins - December 22nd is the official day of the winter season.
December 23rd - Transistor Demonstrated - On December 23, 1947, at Bell Laboratories, the first transistor was demonstrated. The invention is considered one of the best inventions of all time.
December 25th - Christmas Day - For some, this day celebrates the birth of Jesus. For others, it celebrates Santa Clause and gifts.
December 28th - The Endangered Species Act - On December 28, 1973 the Endangered Species Act was put into law. It is designed to protect endangered animals from becoming extinct.
December 28th - Iowa becomes a State - On December 28, 1846, Iowa joined the union, becoming the 28th state.
December 29th - Texas becomes a State - On December 29, 1845, Texas joined the union and became the 28th state.