Basketball Created: Anniversary Dec. 1, 1891
Created by a phy ed teacher in Massachusetts to give his students an in-door activity during the winter. The first hoops were peach baskets nailed on the walls and soccer balls were used. See? You learn something new every month from professor Paige.
National Tie Month Dec. 1-31
“So why don’t you tie me to your bed with your ties, Ty?” The day-after Christmas tie exchange is always a fun bit. Did you know that 20% of all ties are sold in December? They’re right: knowledge is power.
Cookie Cutter Week December 1-7
Identity Theft Prevention And Awareness Month Dec. 1-31
It’s certainly topical. And with people using credit cards, ordering on-line and throwing out all their financial info in the garbage, this is definitely the month to do a bit or topic on it. Go to www.identitytheftinfo.com or call Johnny May at 248-745-0286. At the prompt, leave him your credit card number and pin and he promises to call back.
Choose A Summer Camp Month Dec. 1-31
. www.ACAcamps.org or 765-342-8456.
National Write A Business Plan Month Dec. 1-31
Very simple:
-
Start business
-
Make a zillion
-
Retire to Nova Scotia and raise lobsters as pets
Wow. That was simple. Jocelyn Saccuci has probably totally over-thought this whole thing. Her email is [email protected]
National Drunk and Drugged (3D) Driving Month Dec. 1-31
Call the 3D Prevention Month Coalition. 202-452-6004.
Day With(out) Art December 1
An international day of action and recognition of AIDS and its effects on the Arts community. www.visualAIDS.org
“Playboy” First Published: 71ST Anniversary Dec. 1
Bingo’s Birthday Month Dec. 1-31
The game Bingo was created by Edwin S. Lowe in 1929 and annually is used to raise over five billion dollars in charitable revenues. It’s also recognized as the inception of the phrases: “Damn! I need just one more!” and “Baby needs new shoes!” Tara Snowden at the Bingo Bugle in Vashon, Washington is the bingo fanatic you’ll want to be talking to. Her number is 800-327-6437.
World AIDS Day Dec. 1
Absolutely do something with this. Have guests on, and remember that teens are going to be the next group that gets hit hard by this disease. Call your local AIDS Project for all the info on what’s being done in your community. The American Association for World Health in Washington DC can give you more details on this from a national level. Call 202-466-5883.
Rosa Parks Day Dec. 1
It was on this date in 1955 that Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama and this triggered a year-long boycott of the city bus system. This was one of the pivotal events in the Civil Rights Movement.
National Handwashing Awareness Week December 1-7
Operation Santa Paws Dec. 1-17
Justin Rudd, who spearheads this campaign, encourages all pet owners and pet lovers to go out and buy a pet toy or pet treat and donate it to a local shelter or rescue organization. Call him at 562-439-2681 or go to santapaws.info
Faux Fur Friday December 1
Safe Toys And Gifts Month Dec. 1-31
A reminder that the innocent looking toy you give your niece may result in her permanent disfigurement or blindness. That should put you in the holiday spirits! The folks at the National Society To Prevent Blindness can offer advice and tips on how to choose age-appropriate toys that are safe for young children. This would be hot topic with young parents. Call Marita Gomez at 800-331-2020. Surprisingly, “Sing and Snore Uzi” and “Johnny Human Torch” didn’t make this year’s list.
Artificial Heart Transplant: Anniversary Dec. 2
Barney Clark, 61, got the first ever artificial heart on this date in 1982. Already near death, it helped prolong his life until the following March. (Last Christmas, they gave him a heart, the very next day, he experienced a tissue rejection…)
National Mutt Day December 2
Special Education Day December 2
Signed into law by Gerald Ford. www.specialeducationday.com
Britney Spears Turn 43!!! And Safety Razor Patented (1901) Coincidence? Dec. 2
“Imus In The Morning” Premieres (and he looked exactly the same) December 2, 1971
International Day Of People With Disabilities December 3
World Trick Shot Day December 3
Holly Marie Combs Turns 51!!!! and Julianne Moore Turns 64!! December 3
Cookie Day December 4
Not those annoying widgets that you try to scrub and delete before the next time your spouse wants to use your computer.
Wear Brown Shoes Day December 4
St. Barbara’s Day Dec. 4
Tradition has it that on this day a young girl places a twig from a cherry tree in a glass of water. If it blooms by Christmas Eve, she’s sure to marry the following year. If it develops root rot, then she’s sure to develop painful, debilitating bunions by the Super Bowl.
Marisa Tomei Turns 60!! December 4
International Ninja Day December 5
Prohibition Repeal: Anniversary Dec. 5
Congress repealed prohibition on this date in 1933 and liquor once again flowed freely and legally.
Bathtub Party Day Dec. 5
A day to relax while unwinding in a hot tub. Hey! There’s a morning stunt here. Call the Wellness Permission League at 717-279-0184.
Thirteenth Amendment To The Constitution Ratified: Anniversary Dec. 6
Thus slavery was abolished on this date in 1865.
Mitten Tree Day December 6
National Sales Person Day Dec. 6
“What do I need to do to put you in this brand new Chevy?”
National Pawnbrokers Day Dec. 6
Mike one of the morning show, send him/her to a pawn shop, and have them try to hock a pacemaker, artificial heart, breast implants or something else medically unusual. Sponsored by Michael Goldstein at Empire Loan. 617-423-9366.
Bartender Appreciation Day December 6
They’re our confidants. Our friends. Our summoners-of-spber-rides.
Janine Turner Turns 62!! Dec. 6
National Play Outside Day December 7
Cotton Candy Day December 7
Pearl Harbor Day: Anniversary Dec. 7
National Fire Safety Council Anniversary Dec. 7
This organization was founded on Dec. 7, 1979 to promote fire prevention awareness. This should be a great holiday topic, what with explosive Christmas trees and people overloading their circuits with lights. Either get a local firefighter to discuss these issues or go to the national level and talk to the N.F.S.C. at 517-764-2811.
C. Thomas Howell Turns 56!!! December 7
Pretend To Be A Time Traveler Day December 8
They missed the Back To The Future date by a couple of years but I guess they have the power to fix that.
Brownie Day December 8
The food. Not the youth organization.
Toilet Paper Appreciation Day December 8
Soviet Union Dissolved Anniversary Dec. 8, 1991 (They were warned not to get it wet)
John Lennon Shot: 44th Anniversary December 8
Kimberly Bergalis: Death Anniversary Dec. 8
She was the first person believed to have contracted AIDS through a health care professional (her dentist) and she passed away on this date in 1991.
The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting December 8
A day to remember all the children who have died in 2024. www.compassionatefriends.org
Nicky Minaj Turns 40!!!! December 8
America’s First Formal Cremation: Anniversary Dec. 9, 1792
Was not the start of the phrase “smoke ’em if you got ’em.”
Weary Willy Day December 9
It’s about clowns and the art of clowning.
Dewey Decimal System Day December 10
Susan Dey Turns 71!!! Dec. 10
National Sobriety Day Dec. 11
National App Day December 11
Magnum P.I. Series Anniversary Dec. 11
“Magnum P.I.” hit the tube on this date in 1980 and people from all over the country make a pilgrimage to Magnum Memorabilia in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan to celebrate. Episodes, pictures, soundtracks, clothing and other series artifacts are featured among the festivities. Call Dave Romas at Magnum Memorabilia at 313-831-3646. Ask him why Larry Minetti can’t get any decent roles.
International Shareware Day Dec. 12
Feeling guilty about all of those pirated programs on your PC? This is the day to aleviate yourself of this burdensome guilt and finally pay the programmers for the software you ripped off. Call David Lawrence at 800-396-6546.
Supreme Court Rules For Bush: Anniversary Dec. 12, 2002
Gingerbread House Decorating Day December 12
National 12 Hour Fresh Breath Day December 12
To paraphrase Ralphie, I’m sure this is a cruddy commercial.
Bob Barker Would have Turned 101 and Mayim Bialik Turns 49!!! December 12
Jamhuri Day in Kenya Dec. 12
National Cocoa Day December 13
Official Lost & Found Day December 13
I travel so much that at a couple of hotels they know me by sight and for yucks they’ll let me take a look at what people have left in their rooms. www.lostandfoundday.atspace.
Pick A Pathologist Pal Day December 13
National Ding-A-Ling Day December 13
Don’t ask me. I just cut and paste.
Taylor Swift Turns 35!!!! December 13
Yoga Day December 14
National Cupcake Day December 15
Cat Herders Day December 15
For everyone who has ever likened their job to herding cats.
Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over December 15 – January 1, 2025
Ugly Christmas Sweater Day December 20
So many morning show bits, so little time. http://www.
“One Day At A Time” Premieres Dec. 16, 1975
Barbie and Barney Backlash Day Dec. 16
The one day a year that it’s all right to tell your kids that Barbie and Barney don’t really exist. And at least for Barney, hasn’t for years. Call 717-279-0184
Chocolate Covered Anything Day December 16
TBS Debuts December 17, 1976
How can you doubt the existence of a higher presence when Leah Remini is on two times every afternoon?
“The Simpsons” Premieres Dec. 17, 1989
Maple Syrup Day December 17
My daughters must have some Canadian DNA. They’ll put it on anything.
Answer The Telephone Like Buddy The Elf Day December 18
Rachel Griffiths Turns 56! and Keith Richards Turns 81! December 18
“Titanic” Released December 19, 1997 (Spoiler alert: it sinks)
“The Dating Game” Premieres Dec. 20, 1965
Ugly Christmas Sweater Day December 20
Go Caroling Day December 20
“It’s A Wonderful Life” Premieres December 20, 1946
Clinton Impeachment Vote Dec. 20, 1998
Bill and Monica’s little dating game resulted in this historic political event.
Jenny Agutter Turns 72!! And Jonah Hill Turns 41!!!! Dec. 20
Global Orgasm Day Dec. 21
Short Girl Appreciation Day Dec. 21
National Flashlight Day Dec. 21
First Crossword Puzzle: 109th Anniversary Dec. 21, 1913
Pan Am 103 Explosion: 35th Anniversary Dec. 21, 1988
Humbug Day Dec. 21
This allows everyone who’s stressed about the holidays: costs, cold, visiting relatives, etc., to vent some of their frustrations. Twelve “humbugs” are allowed per person today. Call Tom Roy at 717-279-0184.
Winter Dec. 21 – March 20, 2025
Festivus December 23
Not to be all Paul Harvey about this, but this originated in 1966 with a man named Dan O’Keefe. No one would have ever heard about it unless his son Daniel hadn’t become a writer for a small TV show called….”Seinfeld”.
Ryan Seacrest Turns 50!!! and Ricky Martin Turns 53!! Dec. 24
A’phabet Day Dec. 25 (“No L”, get it?)
Also known as No L Day. Bob Birch can explain this to you if you call him at 703-533-3668. It has something to do with not wanting to send out Christmas cards, but I’ve become too jaded to even care.
Chanukah Dec. 25 – January 2
Christmas Dec. 25
You know, it comes around every December. Your Grandma gives you a sweater and your spouse gets loaded on egg nog and tells everyone about that embarrassing birthmark that you have. Yeah, that’s the holiday.
Gary Sandy Turns 79!! Dec. 25 An inspiration to PD’s everywhere.
Kwanzaa Dec. 26 – Jan. 1, 2025
National Thank You Note Day Dec. 26
Candy Cane Day Dec. 26
Boxing Day Dec. 26
This is a national holiday in Canada, the United Kingdom and other countries. The tradition behind Boxing Day is that you should leave a gift for the postman and any other public employees who render you service without you having to pay them.
National Whiners Day Dec. 26
A day dedicated to whiners, especially those who return Christmas gifts and need lots of attention on this day. The most famous Whiner of the year is announced on the 26th. Call Kevin Zaborney at 517-693-6666.
National Regifting Day December 27
One Flobee is just plain fun. Two? Well, now you know what to do with it. A cynical version of “pay it forward”. www.nationalregiftingday.com
Visit The Zoo Day December 27
Tick Tock Day (but not “Tik Tok”) December 29
Now that you have a Color Me Badd hook stuck in your head for the rest of the work day, this is also the time to remember that time is running out to accomplish the goals you set out for 2024. Like building your own space ship. Or learning to salsa dance. Or finally programming that VCR.
Bacon Day December 30
Falling Needles Family Fest December 30
A day to gather the family in solemn tribute to the tinder-dry and nearing explosive combustability former Christmas tree, to watch in wonder as the little needles, now as sharp and piercing as razor wire, cascade slowly to the ground.
Tiger Woods Turns 47!!! December 30
No Interruptions Day December 30
Sylvia Henderson wants this to be the day that you turn off and block out all of the things that normally disrupt your day, allowing you to focus 100% on your family and yourself. Or the on-line porn and sports books that your family keeps you from. 301-260-1538.
“The Match Game” Premieres Dec. 31, 1962
New Years Eve Dec. 31 (Brought to you by the fine folks at Tylenol)
Universal Hour Of Peace 11:30 pm December 31st to 12:30 am on January 1
An hour dedicated to creating peace throughout the planet. www.peacedome.org
Make Up Your Mind Day December 31
This is not the day to be ambivalent or wishy washy or even washy wishy. Make up your mind. Damn it.
National Champagne Day December 31
You’re All Done Day Dec. 31
Take a few minutes today to acknowledge all of the things that you’ve accomplished in the past year, and congratulate yourself for getting through another 365 days.
Bebe Neuwirth Turns 66!!! December 31
Last Tweets