December 21
Holidays
59 holidays recorded on December 21 throughout history
Quote of the Day
“There are three types of lies -- lies, damn lies, and statistics.”
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Romans honored the goddess Angerona during Divalia by binding her statue’s mouth with a ribbon and sealing her lips.
Romans honored the goddess Angerona during Divalia by binding her statue’s mouth with a ribbon and sealing her lips. This ritual ensured the goddess kept the city’s secret name hidden from enemies, protecting Rome from divine betrayal and guaranteeing the continued silence of its most sacred, state-defining mystery.
The disciple famous for doubting Jesus's resurrection — but that wasn't his defining moment.
The disciple famous for doubting Jesus's resurrection — but that wasn't his defining moment. Thomas once told the other disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him" when Jesus headed toward Jerusalem. Pure loyalty, no hesitation. After Pentecost, church tradition says he traveled farther than any apostle: all the way to India's Malabar Coast, founding communities that still exist today as the Saint Thomas Christians. Seven ancient churches there claim him as founder. He died around 72 AD, reportedly speared to death while praying. His skepticism made the resurrection story stronger. His courage took Christianity east while others went west.
The Eastern Orthodox Church marks December 21 as the feast day of Juliana of Nicomedia, a fourth-century virgin marty…
The Eastern Orthodox Church marks December 21 as the feast day of Juliana of Nicomedia, a fourth-century virgin martyr who — according to tradition — was tortured by her own father, a Roman senator, for refusing to marry a pagan and renounce Christianity. She survived boiling in a cauldron and being thrown to wild beasts before finally being beheaded. But here's the thing: no contemporary sources mention her. Every detail comes from medieval hagiographies written 800 years after her supposed death. Yet millions still venerate her today, lighting candles before icons painted from pure imagination. Faith doesn't need facts when it has a story this compelling.
The winter solstice marks the longest night in the Northern Hemisphere, signaling the return of the sun and the start…
The winter solstice marks the longest night in the Northern Hemisphere, signaling the return of the sun and the start of Yule. Across the globe, Theravada Buddhists observe Sanghamitta Day to honor the arrival of the Bodhi tree in Sri Lanka, while Latvians celebrate Ziemassvētki, a tradition rooted in ancient solar cycles and winter renewal.
The Pilgrims didn't land on Plymouth Rock on December 21st — they landed a month earlier.
The Pilgrims didn't land on Plymouth Rock on December 21st — they landed a month earlier. This date marks when they first stepped ashore to explore, got lost in a blizzard, and nearly froze before finding the harbor that would become their settlement. The Old Colony Club invented the holiday in 1769, 150 years later, picking the winter solstice by the old Julian calendar. They wanted their own version of Boston's elite celebrations. The rock itself? Not mentioned in any Pilgrim writing until 1741, when a 94-year-old said his father told him about it. Now Plymouth throws a dinner with succotash and cranberry everything. History's first landing spot? Still debated.
The smallest African nation celebrates the day Portuguese explorers landed on December 21, 1471 — Saint Thomas's feas…
The smallest African nation celebrates the day Portuguese explorers landed on December 21, 1471 — Saint Thomas's feast day, hence the name. The crew thought they'd found paradise: volcanic peaks draped in rainforest, no people, perfect for sugar plantations. They were half right. Within decades, São Tomé became the world's largest sugar producer, built entirely on slave labor. Kids born to enslaved mothers there were automatically freed at age eight — a cynical twist that let owners claim humanity while working parents to death. The sugar boom collapsed by 1600, but the island stayed trapped in plantation economics for four more centuries. Independence came in 1975, making it one of Africa's last colonies to break free.
A five-day Hindu festival where families dress Lord Ganesha in a different color each day—yellow, blue, red, green, t…
A five-day Hindu festival where families dress Lord Ganesha in a different color each day—yellow, blue, red, green, then orange—and children receive gifts from the elephant-headed god of new beginnings. Started in 1985 by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami in Hawaii, not India, as a Hindu alternative to Christmas that kept the gift-giving but centered it on clearing obstacles and mending relationships. Each day has a purpose: reconcile with family, with friends, with business associates, with culture, with religion. By day five, the shrine overflows with handmade offerings and notes listing everything you'll do better next year.
The tilt that gave us seasons reaches its extreme today.
The tilt that gave us seasons reaches its extreme today. Earth's axis leans 23.5 degrees from vertical — meaning the North Pole points as far from the sun as it gets, while the South Pole aims straight at it. Result: shortest day up north, longest down south. Ancient cultures built monuments to track this exact moment. Newgrange in Ireland, older than the pyramids, has a roof box designed so sunrise illuminates its inner chamber only on winter solstice morning. The alignment still works 5,200 years later. Romans called it Sol Invictus and threw parties. Norsemen burned logs for twelve days. Christians later anchored Christmas nearby, absorbing the festival energy. From here, northern days grow longer by roughly two minutes daily until June. The darkness bottoms out, then retreats.
The church observes O Oriens today, the final of the Great O Antiphons, which invokes the dawn to illuminate those dw…
The church observes O Oriens today, the final of the Great O Antiphons, which invokes the dawn to illuminate those dwelling in darkness. While the liturgical calendar once honored Saint Thomas the Apostle on this date, the feast of the Jesuit scholar Petrus Canisius now takes precedence, reflecting the Counter-Reformation’s emphasis on his prolific theological writings and educational reform.
The Philippines celebrates its military on December 21st because that's when Ferdinand Marcos merged all service bran…
The Philippines celebrates its military on December 21st because that's when Ferdinand Marcos merged all service branches under one command in 1935. But here's the twist: Marcos wasn't president yet — he was 18 years old. The president was Manuel Quezon, creating the Armed Forces of the Philippines as the country prepared for independence from the US. The date stuck through a world war, a dictatorship, and multiple coups. Today it honors 143,000 active personnel across army, navy, and air force. The timing matters: it falls during the military's most vulnerable season, when monsoon floods have historically killed more Filipino soldiers than combat ever has in peacetime.
Romans celebrated Divalia by gathering at the temple of Volupia to honor Angerona, the goddess who guarded the city’s…
Romans celebrated Divalia by gathering at the temple of Volupia to honor Angerona, the goddess who guarded the city’s secret name. By silencing the goddess with a bound mouth, participants ensured that Rome’s true identity remained hidden from enemies, protecting the state from spiritual vulnerability and potential conquest.
Día Mundial del Baloncesto.
Día Mundial del Baloncesto.
Día Mundial del Snowboard (deporte de invierno).Se creó en el año 2006, gracias a la iniciativa de las organizaciones…
Día Mundial del Snowboard (deporte de invierno).Se creó en el año 2006, gracias a la iniciativa de las organizaciones EuoSIMA y la Federación Mundial de Snowboard (WSF). Es una organización internacional sin fines de lucro que se dedica al desarrollo del snowboard como deporte.
Argentina Argentina: Día del Gemelo.
Argentina Argentina: Día del Gemelo.
Argentina Argentina: Corrientes: Primera fundación de Santo Tomé.Fundación: 21 de diciembre de 1632 (393 años).
Argentina Argentina: Corrientes: Primera fundación de Santo Tomé.Fundación: 21 de diciembre de 1632 (393 años).
España España: Día Nacional del Niño con Cáncer.
España España: Día Nacional del Niño con Cáncer. A petición de la Federación Española de Padres de Niños con Cáncer, el Ministerio de Sanidad acordó esta declaración cada 21 de diciembre.
Armed Forces Day (Philippines)
Armed Forces Day (Philippines)
España España País Vasco País Vasco: Día de Santo Tomás.
España España País Vasco País Vasco: Día de Santo Tomás.
FilipinasFilipinas Filipinas: Día de las Fuerzas Armadas.
FilipinasFilipinas Filipinas: Día de las Fuerzas Armadas.
México México: Día Nacional de la Cultura Maya.
México México: Día Nacional de la Cultura Maya. Coincide con un evento astronómico importante, el solsticio de invierno. Para los mayas, esto tenía especial relevancia en su calendario, marcando el inicio de un nuevo ciclo o año en algunas de sus tradiciones.
Santo Tomé y Príncipe Santo Tomé y Príncipe: Día de Santo Tomé.
Santo Tomé y Príncipe Santo Tomé y Príncipe: Día de Santo Tomé.
Día del Espíritu de la Navidad.
Día del Espíritu de la Navidad.
San Miqueas, profeta(imagen ilustrativa).
San Miqueas, profeta(imagen ilustrativa).
San Temístocles de Licia, mártir (s.
San Temístocles de Licia, mártir (s. III).
Santos Andrés Dung Lac y Pedro Truong Van Thi, presbíteros y mártires (1839).
Santos Andrés Dung Lac y Pedro Truong Van Thi, presbíteros y mártires (1839).
Yule, Yul, Jól, Jól, Jul, Joulu, Jõul (sinon Jules et ses variantes).
Yule, Yul, Jól, Jól, Jul, Joulu, Jõul (sinon Jules et ses variantes).
Tomaz (dictons à suivre).
Tomaz (dictons à suivre).
Thémistocle et ses variantes : Thémis voire Artémis, Thémiste et Thémistoklès / Θεμιστοκλής sa forme grecque originelle.
Thémistocle et ses variantes : Thémis voire Artémis, Thémiste et Thémistoklès / Θεμιστοκλής sa forme grecque originelle.
Venier voire (H)Yver et des variantes bretonnes : Gwiner, Vener.
Venier voire (H)Yver et des variantes bretonnes : Gwiner, Vener.
Procope de Vyatsk (ru) († 1627), fol-en-Christ russe.
Procope de Vyatsk (ru) († 1627), fol-en-Christ russe.
Julienne de Vyazma ( † 1406) princesse.
Julienne de Vyazma ( † 1406) princesse.
Pierre de Moscou († 1326), métropolite, thaumaturge, qui commença la construction de la célèbre cathédrale de la Dorm…
Pierre de Moscou († 1326), métropolite, thaumaturge, qui commença la construction de la célèbre cathédrale de la Dormition, au Kremlin.
Saints des Églises orthodoxes :
Saints des Églises orthodoxes :
Pierre Friedhofen († 1860), bienheureux prêtre allemand fondateur des Frères de la Miséricorde de Marie-Auxiliatrice.
Pierre Friedhofen († 1860), bienheureux prêtre allemand fondateur des Frères de la Miséricorde de Marie-Auxiliatrice.
Maria Lorenza Longo († 1539), bienheureuse religieuse italienne fondatrice de congrégation.
Maria Lorenza Longo († 1539), bienheureuse religieuse italienne fondatrice de congrégation.
Dominique Spadafora († 1521), bienheureux religieux dominicain italien.
Dominique Spadafora († 1521), bienheureux religieux dominicain italien.
Adrien de Dalmatie (XIIIe siècle), bienheureux religieux dominicain martyr avec vingt-sept compagnons.
Adrien de Dalmatie (XIIIe siècle), bienheureux religieux dominicain martyr avec vingt-sept compagnons.
Thémistocle de Myre († 250), berger, martyr.
Thémistocle de Myre († 250), berger, martyr.
Psoté († 300) — ou « Pichoté » —, martyr.
Psoté († 300) — ou « Pichoté » —, martyr.
Julienne de Nicomédie († vers 304), vierge, martyre, avec cinq cents hommes et cent trente femmes; fêtée le 16 févrie…
Julienne de Nicomédie († vers 304), vierge, martyre, avec cinq cents hommes et cent trente femmes; fêtée le 16 février, en Occident, et ce 21 décembre, en Orient.
Honorat de Toulouse (IIe siècle et IIIe siècle) — ou « Honoré » —, évêque.
Honorat de Toulouse (IIe siècle et IIIe siècle) — ou « Honoré » —, évêque.
Brauchtum Thomastag
Brauchtum Thomastag
San Glicerio.
San Glicerio.
San Severino, obispo.
San Severino, obispo.
Dia do Atleta
Dia do Atleta
Aniversário dos municípios de Confins, Frei Lagonegro, Gameleiras, Glaucilândia, Pai Pedro, Pintópolis, São José da B…
Aniversário dos municípios de Confins, Frei Lagonegro, Gameleiras, Glaucilândia, Pai Pedro, Pintópolis, São José da Barra, São Joaquim das Bicas, Sarzedo, Sem-Peixe e Serranópolis de Minas, Minas Gerais.
Glycérius († 303), prêtre et martyr.
Glycérius († 303), prêtre et martyr.
Christianisme orthodoxe : mémoire de Grégoire l'Illuminateur avec lectures de Sg.
Christianisme orthodoxe : mémoire de Grégoire l'Illuminateur avec lectures de Sg. 5, 1(-17) ; Héb. 13, 17-21 et de Mt. 19, 27(– 20, 16) dans le lectionnaire de Jérusalem.
Fêtes religieuses romaines Divalia(e) ou Angeronalia(e) en l'honneur de la déesse Angerona qui guérirait de douleur e…
Fêtes religieuses romaines Divalia(e) ou Angeronalia(e) en l'honneur de la déesse Angerona qui guérirait de douleur et tristesse et qui protégerait Rome (5è jour des saturnales).
Beato Domingo Spadafora, presbítero (1521).
Beato Domingo Spadafora, presbítero (1521).
Beato Pedro Friedhofen, religioso (1860).
Beato Pedro Friedhofen, religioso (1860).
Brauchtum Iran: Yalda-Nacht
Brauchtum Iran: Yalda-Nacht
Journée de pi approximatif par référence à l'approximation « 355 / 113 » qui peut symboliser le 355e jour de l'année …
Journée de pi approximatif par référence à l'approximation « 355 / 113 » qui peut symboliser le 355e jour de l'année à 1 h 13 (voir aussi les 14 mars ou Pi-Day, March / 03.14 anglo-saxons).
San Anastasio, mártir.
San Anastasio, mártir.
San Festo.
San Festo.
Día Internacional del Cortometraje.
Día Internacional del Cortometraje. También conocido en algunos países europeos como "el Día Más Corto". Es una efeméride que coincide con el solsticio de invierno, considerado el día más corto del año. Es una fecha dedicada a homenajear y divulgar la obra audiovisual de directores y realizadores de cortometrajes.
Solsticio de Invierno (Hemisferio Norte) y Solsticio de Verano (Hemisferio Sur).
Solsticio de Invierno (Hemisferio Norte) y Solsticio de Verano (Hemisferio Sur).
Día Mundial de la Meditación.
Día Mundial de la Meditación. Una práctica ancestral que consiste en centrar toda nuestra atención en el momento presente, logrando así un estado de conciencia y paz interior. La Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas ha designado esta celebración en su resolución A/79/L.27.
Día Internacional de Rush.(banda de música canadiense, de rock progresivo).
Día Internacional de Rush.(banda de música canadiense, de rock progresivo).