Hey Educators! As the calendar year comes to an end, highlight these historical dates and anniversaries in December. As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest for updates on daily Free Topics and other teaching inspiration. Have a great month!
December 5 – Anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott
“Being the minority, we felt that nothing could be gained by violence or threats or belligerent attitude. We believed that more could be accomplished through the nonviolent passive resistance, and people just began to decide that they wouldn’t ride the bus on the day of my trial, which was on Monday, December 5.” – Rosa Parks, 1955
- Related Topics: The Montgomery Bus Boycott, Living in a World of Segregation, Birth of the Civil Rights Movement
- Related Units: Rosa Parks, Civil Rights, MLK Jr., Mid-20th Century in the U.S.
- Print Title: Civil Rights
- Cross-Curricular: Cross-Curricular Activities on Civil Rights
December 6 – Anniversary of the ratification of the 13th Amendment
On December 6th, 1865 the 13th Amendment was ratified and slavery was abolished. In 1896, the U.S. Supreme Court made an important ruling. It said that it was constitutional to have “separate but equal” facilities for whites and blacks and other minorities.
- Related Topic: Race in 19th Century America.
- Related Units: MLK Jr, Civil Rights
December 7 – Pearl Harbor Day
It was 7:55 a.m. on Sunday, December 7, 1941, at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Suddenly, this grim message blasted out of speakers on the battleship Oklahoma, which was anchored there: “Air Raid Pearl Harbor real planes, real bombs; this is no drill.”
- Related Topic: Pearl Harbor
- Related Unit: World War II
December 11 – International Mountain Day
Mountains stand on every continent on Earth—and even between some continents, far under the ocean. Celebrate International Mountain Day with the following resources.
- Related Topic: Mountains of the World
- Related Units: Mountains, U.S. Landscapes, Geography
December 15 – Bill of Rights Day
The Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution, was created on September 25, 1789, and ratified on December 15, 1791.
- Related Topic: The Bill of Rights, Other Changes to the Constitution
- Related Units: Constitution
- Free Infographic: Bill of Rights
- Free Infopacket: Bill of Rights
December 16 – The Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party
The day American colonists dumped thousand of pounds of tea into Boston Harbor turned out to be one of the most important in our country’s history– it triggered the beginning of the American Revolution!
- Related Topic: The Boston Massacre
- Related Units: Boston Tea Party, American Revolution
- Cross Curricular: Games and Activities on the American Revolution
December 17 – Wright Brothers Day
The Wright brothers’ hard work did not end at Kitty Hawk in 1903. Back in Dayton, they continued test flights through 1905.
- Related Topics: Early Attempts of Flights, Countdown at Kitty Hawk
- Related Unit: The Wright Brothers
- Print Title: The Wright Brothers
December 21 – Winter solstice 2018 in Northern Hemisphere
On this day, the Sun hits its most southerly point. It’s right over the Tropic of Capricorn. This is the Northern Hemisphere’s shortest day and marks the start of winter.
- Related Topics: Rotation, Revolution, and Eclipses, The Hush of Snow
- Related Units: Rain & Snow, Sun
- Winter Activities: It’s Snowing! Fun with Crystals
