November, like September and October, gets its name from its placement in the old Roman calendar. "Novem" is Latin for nine. This is the month when night truly draws in and the air gets a little colder. It's also the month in which many can reflect, remember and give thanks. Throughout the month there are numerous meteor showers including the Andromedids, the Leonids, the Alpha Monocerotids, the Northern Taurids, the Southern Taurids, the Phoenicids, and possibly the Orionids, which peaks in late October, but sometimes lasts into November. Google them to find dates, grab a hot beverage and a blanket and watch the stars fall in the night sky. (Luckily, many of these run into December too). On the 11th many nations remember the armistice of the Great War, which occurred on 11/11/18 at 11am. It ended a brutal and ugly war, which on the Western front alone had over 13 million casualties and a million civilian deaths. The 11th is a day to celebrate peace, reflect on the toll of war, and commemorate the dead. In some countries, it is also a day to honour living veterans. The fourth Thursday in the US hosts Thanksgiving. I appreciate that Thanksgiving is celebrated in other countries on different days, but I'm American, so I'm going with the day I'm familiar with. But no matter the day the sentiments are universal. It's a day to be with family or friends and simply be greatful. There are no presents, no things to buy or games to play. It's such a simple, pure and inviolate day that even capitalism couldn't finagle a way in, they've had to claim the Friday. Though in many cases Thanksgiving has it roots in Christianity it's a fairly secular day.
🦃Read a book set in space 🦃Read a book about World War I 🦃Read a book that is about or represents something you are thankful for
Unsurprisingly, December is named for the tenth month of the year. Yep, you guessed it, "decem" means ten in Latin. This would be the end of the year for old Romans until March, when the year would start over. The days that would eventually become January and February were cold nothingness, unremarked and unconsidered. It's not surprising this month was important enough to be named by the old Romans though as it contains a major celestial event. And in our modern times it's also has much going on globally and socially, too. The month kicks of with 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence, an international campaign against violence against women and girls. The sixteen days run from 25 November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, International Human Rights Day. Begun in 1991, over 194 countries are involved to help promote awareness about and a reduction in gender based violence. Every year has a theme and 2020's is "Recover better." December is also the month when winter officially starts. This year the solstice will occur at 13:30 GMT on the 21st. For most of the world's inhabitants this will be the coldest time of the year as the Northern Hemisphere tilts away from the sun. And of course December is the "happiest time of the year," as Christmas season now seems to start the first day of December. I don't know about where you live but the radio stations have begun playing Christmas songs already. Though many of the songs and commercials are secular in nature, we have the Christians to thank for the popularity and predominance of this period. The commemoration of Christ's birthday also gave rise to many of the traditions we have today like caroling, stockings, Christmas trees and, of course father Christmas himself, Saint Nicholas. Saint Nicholas was a 4th century bishop from Myra who was known for his gift giving. Also, contributing to the festive atmosphere of December is the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, an eight day celebration to commemorate the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. You can actually read the story of Hanukkah is the book of 1 Maccabees if you have a copy of the Septuagint.
Happy holidays and happy new year everyone.
🎄Read a book based around gender equality issues 🎄Read a book set in winter 🎄Read a book with a Christmas or Hanukkah celebration in it
November, like September and October, gets its name from its placement in the old Roman calendar. "Novem" is Latin for nine. This is the month when night truly draws in and the air gets a little colder. It's also the month in which many can reflect, remember and give thanks.
Throughout the month there are numerous meteor showers including the Andromedids, the Leonids, the Alpha Monocerotids, the Northern Taurids, the Southern Taurids, the Phoenicids, and possibly the Orionids, which peaks in late October, but sometimes lasts into November. Google them to find dates, grab a hot beverage and a blanket and watch the stars fall in the night sky. (Luckily, many of these run into December too).
On the 11th many nations remember the armistice of the Great War, which occurred on 11/11/18 at 11am. It ended a brutal and ugly war, which on the Western front alone had over 13 million casualties and a million civilian deaths. The 11th is a day to celebrate peace, reflect on the toll of war, and commemorate the dead. In some countries, it is also a day to honour living veterans.
The fourth Thursday in the US hosts Thanksgiving. I appreciate that Thanksgiving is celebrated in other countries on different days, but I'm American, so I'm going with the day I'm familiar with. But no matter the day the sentiments are universal. It's a day to be with family or friends and simply be greatful. There are no presents, no things to buy or games to play. It's such a simple, pure and inviolate day that even capitalism couldn't finagle a way in, they've had to claim the Friday. Though in many cases Thanksgiving has it roots in Christianity it's a fairly secular day.
🦃Read a book set in space
🦃Read a book about World War I
🦃Read a book that is about or represents something you are thankful for
Unsurprisingly, December is named for the tenth month of the year. Yep, you guessed it, "decem" means ten in Latin. This would be the end of the year for old Romans until March, when the year would start over. The days that would eventually become January and February were cold nothingness, unremarked and unconsidered. It's not surprising this month was important enough to be named by the old Romans though as it contains a major celestial event. And in our modern times it's also has much going on globally and socially, too.
The month kicks of with 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence, an international campaign against violence against women and girls. The sixteen days run from 25 November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, International Human Rights Day. Begun in 1991, over 194 countries are involved to help promote awareness about and a reduction in gender based violence. Every year has a theme and 2020's is "Recover better."
December is also the month when winter officially starts. This year the solstice will occur at 13:30 GMT on the 21st. For most of the world's inhabitants this will be the coldest time of the year as the Northern Hemisphere tilts away from the sun.
And of course December is the "happiest time of the year," as Christmas season now seems to start the first day of December. I don't know about where you live but the radio stations have begun playing Christmas songs already. Though many of the songs and commercials are secular in nature, we have the Christians to thank for the popularity and predominance of this period. The commemoration of Christ's birthday also gave rise to many of the traditions we have today like caroling, stockings, Christmas trees and, of course father Christmas himself, Saint Nicholas. Saint Nicholas was a 4th century bishop from Myra who was known for his gift giving.
Also, contributing to the festive atmosphere of December is the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, an eight day celebration to commemorate the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. You can actually read the story of Hanukkah is the book of 1 Maccabees if you have a copy of the Septuagint.
Happy holidays and happy new year everyone.
🎄Read a book based around gender equality issues
🎄Read a book set in winter
🎄Read a book with a Christmas or Hanukkah celebration in it