décembre

Décembre is the twelfth month of the Gregorian calendar. It contains 31 days and is commonly the last month of the year. In the Northern Hemisphere, the month marks the advance of winter; in the Southern Hemisphere, it is part of summer.

Its name derives from Latin Decemberem, meaning “the tenth month,” reflecting its position in the early Roman calendar before January and February were added.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice falls around December 21 or 22, usually the year’s shortest day. The Sun transitions from Sagittarius to Capricorn around that date. In the Southern Hemisphere, December is summer, with warmer days and longer nights in many regions.

Décembre hosts major holidays in many cultures, notably Christmas on December 25, Advent preparations in Christian traditions, and regional observances such as Boxing Day on December 26 in some countries and Saint Stephen’s Day in parts of Europe. Other celebrations include Hanukkah when it falls in December and Kwanzaa from December 26 to January 1 in the United States and elsewhere.

Worldwide, December features several international observances, including World AIDS Day (December 1), World Soil Day (December 5), Human Rights Day (December 10), International Universal Health Coverage Day (December 12), and International Migrants Day (December 18). Economically, December closes the calendar year and often the fiscal year for many organizations, with a peak in holiday-related retail activity.