World AIDS Day is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection.

AIDS has killed more than 25 million people, with an estimated 38.6 million people living with HIV, making it one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded history. 

Despite recent, improved access to antiretroviral treatment and care in many regions of the world, the AIDS epidemic claimed an estimated 3.1 million (between 2.8 and 3.6 million) lives in 2005, of which more than half a million (570,000) were children.

The concept of a World AIDS Day originated at the 1988 World Summit of Ministers of Health on Programmes for AIDS Prevention. Since then, it has been taken up by governments, international organizations and charities around the world.

http://www.netglimse.com/holidays/world … dex.shtml/

The Red Ribbon is the global symbol for solidarity with HIV-positive people and those living with AIDS.

December, 3rd

There are two international occasiions today: the International Day of Disabled Persons and the International Day of the Basque language .

December, 5th

In Belgium, Czech Republic, Slovakia, the Netherlands and the UK they celebrate Saint Nicholas Eve (whom Dutch speakers call Sinterklaas, which became in other languages Santa Claus)

Besides, December 5th is the first full day of Hanukkah in 2007.

Saint Nicholas Day is a festival for children in much of Europe related to surviving legends of the saint, and particularly his reputation as a bringer of gifts.

Some elements of this part of the Saint Nicholas tradition can be traced back to the Germanic god Wodan (OdinThe appearance is similar to some portrayals of this god. In the Saint Nicholas tradition in the Netherlands and Flanders (Northern Belgium), he rides a horse over the rooftops, and this may be derived from Odin's riding through the sky. Also, his assistants, the Zwarte Pieten ('Black Petes'), may be a remnant of the twin ravens that accompanied Wodan.

The history of the festive Saint Nicholas celebration is complex and reflects conflicts between Protestantism and Catholicism. Since Nicholas was a canonised saint, Martin Luther replaced the festival that had become associated with the Papacy with a Christkind ("Christ child") celebration on Christmas Eve. The Nicholas celebrations still remain a part of tradition among many Protestants, albeit on a much smaller scale than Christmas. The Protestant Netherlands, however, retain a much larger Saint Nicholas tradition. Many Catholics, on the other hand, have adopted Luther's Christkind.