New Year's Eve

The last day of the year

2019-12-31

Rizal Day (Philippines)

This national holiday is celebrated annually on 30 December.Known in the Philippines as 'Araw ng Kabayanihan ni Dr. Jose Rizal', this day commemorates the execution of José Rizal on 30 December 1896. Dr. José Rizal is a National Hero of the Philippines, credited with playing a key role in starting the revolution against the Spanish colonisers. On 1 February 1902, the Philippine Commission enacted Act. No. 345, which officially declared 30 December as Rizal Day.

2019-12-30

Boxing Day

Boxing Day, which is the day after Christmas Day, is a public holiday in Australia.

2019-12-26

Constitution Day (Taiwan)

Constitution Day marks the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of China in 1946. Constitution Day is not a public holiday, but it is sometimes marked with relevant official events. The first Constitution of the Republic of China was adopted in 1912 after the Xinhai Revolution that overthrew the Qing dynasty. It was a provisional constitution framed by the Provisional Government led by Sun Yat-sen.

2019-12-25

Winter Solstice Festival

The Winter Solstice Festival has its origins in the Chinese concept of yin and yang, which represents balance and harmony in life. In the southern parts of China this is a particularly important celebration, second only to Chinese New Year for many families. This is because the Winter Solstice Festival was traditionally the time by which farmers and fishermen had to prepare for the coming colder months. In Hong Kong, most people finish work early on the festival and go home for lavish meals with their families. They’ll usually include tongyuen on the menu (a sweet soup with balls of sticky rice) because its name sounds like ‘reunion’.

2019-12-22

Macau S.A.R. Establishment Day

Macau SAR (Special Administrative Region) Establishment Day is observed every 20 December. The day celebrates the change of status of Macau from a Portuguese dependency to a Chinese special administrative region. Thus, it marks the end of Macau’s colonial past.

2019-12-20

International Migrants Day

On 4 December 2000, the General Assembly, taking into account the large and increasing number of migrants in the world, proclaimed 18 December International Migrants Day (A/RES/55/93 (link is external)). On that day, in 1990, the Assembly adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (A/RES/45/158 (link is external)). Migration is a global phenomenon driven by many forces. These start with aspirations for dignity, safety and peace. The decision to leave home is always extreme, and, too often, the beginning of a dangerous, sometimes fatal journey. UNESCO is acting to advance the migration-related commitments of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This starts with education, by promoting access to quality education for Syrian refugees, by facilitating recognition of education diplomas and qualifications.

2019-12-18

Anniversary of China joining WTO

2001 was a landmark year for China, who finally gained accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO, 2011) after 15 years of negotiations. China’s accession to the WTO has helped both the Chinese and the world economy. China’s accession resulted in astounding growth of exports, and a reduction in tariffs both on imports into China and tariffs placed on Chinese products.

2019-12-11

World Human Rights Day

Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December. It commemorates the day on which, in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 1950, the Assembly passed resolution 423 (V), inviting all States and interested organizations to observe 10 December of each year as Human Rights Day.

2019-12-10

Constitution Day (Thailand)

This holiday commemorates Thailand's adoption of a constitutional monarchy in 1932

2019-12-10

International Anti-Corruption Day

Every year $1 trillion is paid in bribes while an estimated $2.6 trillion are stolen annually through corruption – a sum equivalent to more than 5 per cent of the global GDP. In developing countries, according to the United Nations Development Programme, funds lost to corruption are estimated at 10 times the amount of official development assistance. Corruption is a serious crime that can undermine social and economic development in all societies. No country, region or community is immune. This year UNODC and UNDP have developed a joint global campaign, focusing on how corruption affects education, health, justice, democracy, prosperity and development.

2019-12-09

Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary (Philippines)

The devout in the Philippines attend special masses on this day in honour of the Virgin Mary and the belief in her having been conceived without sin. The day is also supposed to be a day when Catholics avoid any “unnecessary work”.

2019-12-08

The Little India riot (Singapore)

On December 8, 2013, a 33-year-old Indian construction worker was run over and killed by a private bus at the junction between Race Course Road and Hampshire Road in Little India in Singapore. Angry passersby, many intoxicated, soon began to form a crowd and began to throw various items at law enforcement personnel, and many belonging to the police force were destroyed or burnt by an angry mob. Roughly 400 migrant workers were involved in the riot, and 159 police officers were sent to the scene. 54 of the responding officers and eight civilians were injured. It was the first riot of such scale and seriousness in Singapore since the 1960s. Little India is now a designated Liquor Control Zone, meaning that the purchase and consumption of alcohol between certain period of time is prohibited.

2019-12-08

International Civil Aviation Day

The purpose of International Civil Aviation Day is to help generate and reinforce worldwide awareness of the importance of international civil aviation to the social and economic development of States, and of the unique role of ICAO in helping States to cooperate and realize a truly global rapid transit network at the service of all mankind.

2019-12-07

Thai's Father's Day

One of the most important days in Thailand is Father’s day (วันพ่อแห่งชาติ, wan-pôr-hàng-châart) It is celebrated on December 5 which is the birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej (วันเฉลิมพระชนมพรรษา, wan-chà-lěrm-prá-chon-má-pan-săa), the monarch of Thailand. King’s birthday is a national holiday and is celebrated all over the country. December 5, 2015 is the King’s 88th Birthday Anniversary.

2019-12-05

His Majesty the Late King’s Birthday (Thailand)

This holiday marks the birthday of the current King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej.

2019-12-05

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

"The annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed in 1992, by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3. It aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. Building on many decades of UN’s work in the field of disability, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, adopted in 2006, has further advanced the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other international development frameworks, such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Charter on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action, the New Urban Agenda, and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development"

2019-12-03

Cyber Monday

Cyber Monday is a marketing term for the Monday after the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States. It was created by retailers to encourage people to shop online. The term was coined by Ellen Davis and Scott Silverman, and made its debut on November 28, 2005 in a Shop.org press release entitled "'Cyber Monday' Quickly Becoming One of the Biggest Online Shopping Days of the Year".[1] It is on the Monday after Thanksgiving, and most of the time falls in November, but if Thanksgiving is on November 27 or 28, it will fall in December. The date range is November 26 to December 2, and is always four days after the holiday.

2019-12-02

World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day is held on December 1 each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day and the first one was held in 1988.

2019-12-01

Bonifacio Day (Philippines)

This holiday is celebrated annually on 30 November.Known in the Philippines as 'Araw ng Kapanganakan ni Bonifacio', this day commemorates the birth of Andrés Bonifacio on 30 November 1863. Bonifacio was a Filipino nationalist and revolutionary and is considered a national hero. He is often called 'the father of the Philippine Revolution'.

2019-11-30
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