Dec. 21st. – First Day of Winter
The winter solstice is the “shortest day” of the year, meaning the least amount of sunlight. The Sun reaches its most southern point in the sky at local noon. After this date, the days start getting “longer,” i.e., the amount of daylight begins to increase.
December 10th – International Human Rights Day.
It commemorates that day in 1948 when the United Nations unanimously adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
It reminds us as activists that the struggle for equality and dignity is the foundation of social justice, and that the fight for labour rights as human rights is the core of solidarity.
Dec. 6th – The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women in Canada. Established in 1991 by the Parliament of Canada, this day marks the anniversary of the murders in 1989 of 14 young women at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal. They died because they were women.
As well as commemorating the 14 young women whose lives ended in an act of gender-based violence that shocked the nation, December 6 represents an opportunity for Canadians to reflect on the phenomenon of violence against women in our society. It is also an opportunity to consider the women and girls for whom violence is a daily reality, and to remember those who have died as a result of gender-based violence. And finally, it is a day on which communities can consider concrete actions to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.