DEC-1: This is World AIDS Day. AIDS has killed about 15 million people; over 40 million are infected -- mostly African heterosexuals.

DEC-8: Bodhi Day (a.k.a. Rohatsu) is when Buddhist celebrate the enlightenment of the Buddha in 596 BCE. Some years, it is celebrated on the Sunday before DEC-8. ₄

DEC-10: This is Human Rights Day, DEC-10, the 53^rd anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  "The 1000 Lamp Mandala Ceremony" is celebrated around the world to promote peace in Tibet and elsewhere.

DEC-11: This is the third monthly anniversary of the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington. At 8:46 EST on SEP-11, the first plane crashed into the World Trade Center. President Bush is asking communities in the U.S. and countries elsewhere in the world to hold remembrance events at this time.

DEC-16: The probable date of Id al-Fitr, (a.k.a. Eid-ul-Fitr) the last day of Ramadan. This is the holiest period in the Islamic year. It recalls the lunar month in which the Qura'n was revealed to humanity. The end of Ramadan may be offset from this day, because it is dependent on the sighting of the crescent moon.

DEC-21: The Winter Solstice happens on this day at 19:21 UT. It is celebrated by followers of many Aboriginal and Neopagan religions around the world. It is called Yule by Wiccans, who consider it one of their four minor Sabbats. Followers of Shinto observe Tohji-taisai, the Grand Ceremony of the Winter Solstice. Many Atheists in the U.S. also celebrate the solstice, which is the shortest day/longest night of the year.

DEC-25: Celebration of Christmas, the nominal birth date of Jesus Christ, by the western churches which follow the Gregorian calendar. Most theologians believe that Jesus was born between 4 and 7 BCE, perhaps in the fall.

DEC-26: This is the first day of a week-long celebration of Kwanza (a.k.a. Kwanzaa, Quansa)  It is an African-American and Pan-African holiday celebrating family, community and culture. "Kwanza" is a Swahili word for "the first," or "the first fruits of the harvest".

DEC-26: Boxing Day is celebrated in Australia, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Canada, New Zealand and the UK. It is apparently related to an old custom of giving cash or presents to poor people. However, nobody really knows for certain why the "Box" got into "Boxing Day." Theories abound. It is listed in the Canada Labour Code as a holiday.

DEC-31: New Year's Eve. A generally secular celebration.