December

As I said in my previous post, for our project we have to produce two-four images (at least one digital and one analogue) for a december themed issue of Oh Comely magazine, so I have decided to do some research as to what happens in december as opposed to the obvious like christmas and new year. 

December 1st: World AIDS Day: 

World AIDS day, observed on the 1st of December every year, is dedicated to raising the awareness of the AIDS pandemic, caused by the spread of the HIV infection. Government and health officials observe the day usually with speeches and forums on the AIDS topic. Since 1995 the president of The United States has made a proclamation on world AIDS day. Governments of other countries have followed suit and made similar announcements. 

December 2nd: Cyber Monday


Cyber Monday is a marketing term for the monday after Black friday, the friday following Thanksgiving in the united States. The term 'Cyber Monday' was created by companies to persuade customers to shop online. The term made its debut on November 28th 2005. Cyber Monday quickly became one of the biggest shopping days of the year with a 77% increase of sales on this day. 

December 3rd: World Disability Day

The 'International Day Of People With Disability' is an observance promoted by the United States since 1992 and it has been celebrated with varying degrees of success around the planet. The observance of the day is to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, well-being, and rights of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. 

December 5th: Walt Disney's Birthday

Walter Elias Disney was born on December 5th 1901 and died on december 15th 1966. He was an American business magnate, animator, producer, director, screenwriter and voice actor. A major figure within the American Animation Industry and throughout the world, he is regarded as an international icon. As a Hollywood business mogul, he and his brother Roy O. Disney, co-founded The Walt Disney Productions, which later became one of the best known motion picture producers in the world. 

December 8th: Bodhi Day

Bodhi Day is the Buddhist holiday that commemorates the day that the historical Buddah, Siddhartha Gautauma, experienced enlightenment, also known as Bohi in Sanskrit and Pali. According to tradition, Siddhartha had recently forsaken years of extreme ascetic practices and resolved to sit under a peepal tree and simply meditate until he found the root of suffering and how to liberate oneself from it.

December 21st: Winter Solstice

The winter solstice is the time at which the sun appears at noon at the lowest altitude above the horizon. In the Northern Hemisphere this is the Southern solstice, the time at which the Sun is at its southernmost point in the sky, which usually occurs on December 21 to 22 each year. In the Southern Hemisphere this is the Northern solstice, the time at which the Sun is at its northernmost point in the sky, which usually occurs on June 20 to 21 each year. The solstice itself may have been a special moment of the annual cycle of the year even during neolithic times. Astronomical events, which during ancient times controlled the mating of animals, sowing of crops and metering of winter reserves between harvests, show how various cultural mythologies and traditions have arisen.

December 21st: National Flashlight Day

National Flashlight Day is celebrated every year on December 21st. It is not known as to where the holiday comes from but some believe it may have come about from all the late night visits with family and friends during the holidays! In 1896 the first dry cell battery was invented. Unlike previous batteries, it used a paste electrolyte instead of a liquid. This was the first battery suitable for portable electrical devices, as it did not spill or break easily and worked in any orientation.

December 26th: Boxing Day Tsunami

The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was an undersea megathrust earthquake that occurred at 00:58:53 UTC on Sunday, 26 December 2004, with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The quake itself is known by the scientific community as the Sumatra–Andaman earthquake. The resulting tsunami was given various names, including the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, South Asian tsunami, Indonesian tsunami, and the Boxing Day tsunami.

The earthquake was caused when the Indian Plate was subducted by the Burma Plate and triggered a series of devastating tsunamis along the coasts of most landmasses bordering the Indian Ocean, killing over 230,000 people in fourteen countries, and inundating coastal communities with waves up to 30 meters (98 ft) high. It was one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history. Indonesia was the hardest-hit country, followed by Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand.

With a magnitude of Mw 9.1–9.3, it is the third largest earthquake ever recorded on a seismograph. The earthquake had the longest duration of faulting ever observed, between 8.3 and 10 minutes. It caused the entire planet to vibrate as much as 1 centimetre (0.4 inches) and triggered other earthquakes as far away as Alaska. Its epicentre was between Simeulue and mainland Indonesia. The plight of the affected people and countries prompted a worldwide humanitarian response. In all, the worldwide community donated more than $14 billion (2004 US$) in humanitarian aid. This isnt an actual holiday, however it is remembered by everyone and every boxing day it is in our hearts. I personally think it would be nice if it was an observed holiday each year, as it was a ruining time in all of our lives.