| Parliament sitting days (end) - Friday December 6, 2019 Special Events :
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| Hanukkah - Friday December 20, 2019 cards/flowers : Commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean Revolt (2nd century BC) NOT a public holiday
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| Christmas Day - Wednesday December 25, 2019 Catholic or protestant : Since pre-historic times in Europe, festivities (bonfires, offrerings) were marking the beginning of longer hours of daylight with fires and ritual. The Roman festival of Saturnalia lasted several days in December (gambling and offerings). Germanic tribes also celebrated mid-winter (drinking and rituals). The Bulgarian (with Koleduvane) and the Polish (with Gwiazdka) perpetuate this tradition. Jesus of Nazareth was probably born in springtime (Reformists favour autumn). But in the 4th century, December 25th was chosen for the celebration of his birth by Pope Julius I (Bishop Liberus is also mentioned in 354 A.D.). Thus, a Christian element was introduced in the long-established mid-winter festivals. Before 1582, the Papal States and other Italian city states celebrated New Year’s Day on Christmas Day.
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| Boxing Day - Thursday December 26, 2019 Secular holiday : Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated on the day following Christmas Day, when servants and tradesmen would traditionally receive gifts known as a Christmas box from their masters, employers or customers.
Due to historical reasons, depending on the year, Boxing Day can be celebrated BEFORE Christmas in the UK. [Wikipedia]
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| Sydney Hobart Yacht race - Monday December 30, 2019 Sports events : Http://rolexsydneyhobart.com/default.asp
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| New Year's Eve - Tuesday December 31, 2019 Culture : Szilveszter
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