December

December is the last month of the year.

It has 31 days. Long ago, it was the tenth month.

In the north, it is the start of winter. In the south, it is the start of summer. The sun stays low in the north. This makes the days very short.

You might see many stars fall in the sky. The narcissus is the flower for this month.

December is the last month of the year. It has 31 days.

Its name comes from a Latin word. That word means ten. Long ago, it was the tenth month. The calendar then began in March. Later, people added January and February to the start. But December kept its old name.

In the north, December is the start of winter. In the south, it is the start of summer. This month has the winter solstice in the north. The solstice is the day with the fewest hours of light. In the south, it is the summer solstice. This is the day with the most light.

You might see many shooting stars in the sky. These are called meteor showers. The Geminids peak around December 13 or 14. The Ursids peak around December 22. The month has special symbols too. The birth flower is the narcissus. The birthstones are turquoise, zircon, and tanzanite.

December is the twelfth and final month of the year. It lasts for 31 days in our calendars.

The name comes from a Latin word, "decem," which means ten. This is because it was once the tenth month. Long ago, the calendar of Romulus began in March. During that time, the winter days after December were not part of any month. Later, people added January and February to the start. Even with this change, December kept its old name.

This month marks a big change in the seasons. In the Northern Hemisphere, December is the start of winter. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is the start of summer.

This happens because of the winter solstice in the north. The solstice is the day with the fewest daylight hours. In the south, the summer solstice brings the most daylight hours. These seasons are opposites. December in the north is the seasonal equivalent to June in the south.

Looking up at the night sky can be very exciting in December. Many meteor showers happen during this time. These are streaks of light caused by space dust. The Geminids peak around December 13 or 14. The Ursids peak around December 22. You might also see the Monocerotids, which peak around December 9. Other showers like the Canis-Minorids and the Coma Berenicids also appear. Even the Delta Cancrids can be seen during this month.

People have celebrated many things in December for a long time. In Ancient Rome, many special days were held. These included Saturnalia from December 17 to December 23. There was also a day called Divalia on December 21. The Anglo-Saxons called the period of December and January "Ġēolamonaþ." This is known today as the Yule month. Many cultures still have special days in December. These include the Dongzhi Festival in Asia and Yule in some traditions.

December also has its own special symbols. The birth flower for this month is the narcissus.

If you were born in December, your birthstones might be turquoise, zircon, or tanzanite.

These stones come in many different colors and shapes. You can find these symbols in many books and decorations. They help us celebrate the unique feeling of the month. Even the zodiac signs change during this time. Sagittarius lasts until December 21, then Capricorn begins on December 22.

December is the twelfth and final month of the year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. It consists of exactly 31 days. While it marks the end of the calendar year, its history reveals it was once positioned differently. The name itself is a linguistic relic of an older way of tracking time.

The name December is derived from the Latin word "decem," which means ten. This is because it served as the tenth month in the calendar of Romulus around 750 BC. That ancient calendar began in March rather than January. During that era, the winter days following December were not included in any month at all. Eventually, the months of January and February were created from that monthless period. These two months were added to the beginning of the calendar. Even though the order changed, December kept its original name.

Astronomy plays a major role in defining the character of December. In the Northern Hemisphere, December marks the beginning of winter. In the Southern Hemisphere, it marks the start of summer. This seasonal shift is driven by the winter solstice in the north and the summer solstice in the south. The winter solstice is the day with the fewest daylight hours. Conversely, the summer solstice provides the most daylight hours. These two hemispheres experience seasonal opposites. December in the north is the seasonal equivalent to June in the south.

Observers of the night sky can witness several meteor showers during this month. A meteor shower occurs when Earth passes through debris in space. The Geminids are a notable shower occurring around December 13 or 14. The Ursids peak around December 22. Other active showers include the Monocerotids, which peak around December 9. The Canis-Minorids peak around December 10 or 11. The Coma Berenicids peak around December 16. You might also see the Phoenicids, the Delta Cancrids, or the Sigma Hydrids. Even the Quadrantids can sometimes begin in December.

History shows that many cultures have held significant observances during this time. In Ancient Rome, several festivals were held to honor different deities. The Agonalia honored Sol Indiges on December 11. Saturnalia was a major festival held from December 17 to December 23. Other Roman dates included Divalia on December 21 and Larentalia on December 23. The Anglo-Saxons referred to the period of December and January as "Ġēolamonaþ." This is known in modern English as the Yule month.

Modern traditions and symbols also define the month. In Catholic tradition, December often begins the Season of Advent. The month is also devoted to the Immaculate Conception. For those following astrology, the zodiac signs transition during this month. Sagittarius remains the sign until December 21. Capricorn begins on December 22. The month is also represented by specific natural symbols. The birth flower for December is the narcissus.

December is also associated with specific gemstones known as birthstones. These include turquoise, zircon, and tanzanite. Each stone has unique physical properties. Turquoise is often a bright blue or green. Zircon is a mineral that can vary in color. Tanzanite is a rare gemstone found in specific locations.

These symbols, alongside the astronomical events and historical festivals, make December a complex and significant period in the human calendar.