December is HIV/AIDS National Awareness Month. HIV and AIDS are STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) that infect the immune system, harming the people who have them from the inside out. HIV, also known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus, currently has no cure, but can be controlled with medical care.. HIV can then lead and sprout into AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, and it is the most severe stage of HIV. People with AIDS have badly damaged immune systems, with a higher risk of acquiring other severe diseases. It is best to take precautions against both HIV and AIDS, which can be done by taking an HIV test, a painless, quick, and free procedure. There are many symptoms, which are flu-like, though having these symptoms does not mean you have HIV. If you stay safe and informed, you should have no fear of sexually transmitted diseases like HIV and AIDS.

Written By: Lucinda Wilson-Petty

Sources: CDC, National Health Observances

Hanukkah is the Jewish festival that commemorates the re-dedication of the second temple of Jerusalem and the Maccabean victories over the forces of the Seleucid King in 165 BCE. These people were the first Jewish people to fight for their beliefs over their lives. The tradition of lighting what is known as a menorah, for each night of the 8 days of the festival. The menorah represents the Temple lampstand with its eight branches and a holding location for the shamash candle that’s used to light the other candles. With each lighting, a blessing and thanks are offered to God. Other traditions, like festive meals, games, and toys such as a dreidel, and gifts to young children, are upheld by people, even if they don’t celebrate the Jewish tradition. Most of all, it is used to celebrate the history of Judaism and the ones you love.

Written By: Lucinda Wilson-Petty

Source:  Britannica

Christmas is celebrated annually to remember the birth of Christ. It got its name for being the only mass service that took place after sunset into the following day's sunrise. Though originally celebrated by just Christians, but is now commemorated worldwide by various cultures. This is a holiday which is celebrated with family and friends, exchanging gifts and honoring the birth of their savior. Although Christmas is known as the birth of Jesus, his actual birthday is unknown! Those who do not celebrate the holiday for religious reasons engage in other festive activities such as stockings, lights, trees, ornaments, candy canes, snowmen, pajamas, wreaths, advent calendars, presents, cookies and milk, and hot chocolates by the fireplace.

Written By: Camilli Villa

Source: whychristmas.com

      Started in 1966, Kwanzaa is an African American holiday that celebrates values, family, community, culture, and history. Given its name from the Swahili phrase, “matunda ya kwanza”, meaning “first fruits,” this holiday represents its core values: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith). These are upheld by the many activities and festivals a part of this celebration. Some of these include creative artworks, which represent the Adinkra symbols, originating from the Akan people, the daily lighting of a candle, and the recitation of saying and prayer. This week-long holiday is celebrated with the people you love and brings their bonds closer together.

Written By: Lucinda Wilson-Petty

Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

      Did you know that originally, there were only 10 months on the calendar? Before Julius Caesar, the Roman dictator, ordered the changing of the calendar to have 12 months. This order was put in place after his astronomers found and explained the need to have 12 months in the year, and have a leap year every four years to help match the seasons as they change. The original 10 months were: Martius, Aprilis, Maius, Juniius, Quintilis, Sextilis, September, October, November, and December. In these listed months, there are some which are the same as with  our calendar, and others with similar names. The two months that were introduced were July and August, named after Julius Caesar and his heir, Augustus. Pushing the former 10th month, December, to become the 12 month. This is how we have our 12 months which we are all quite familiar with: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, and December, and a leap year every four years.

      2024 is a leap year! An early happy birthday to those born on the 29th of February!

Written By: Lucinda Wilson-Petty

Source: Britannica

      As Christmas nears, so too does the end of 2023. But before the year ends, we can’t forget about celebrating everything we have done and learned in 2023 this New Year’s Eve. At midnight on December 31st

 in Times Square, the New Year’s Ball drop is a greatly anticipated event where many people gather to watch and record. There are other traditions from around the world when it comes to New year’s eve. From creating resolutions to consuming 12 grapes to each toll of a church bell, and even consuming soba noodles, a kind of buckwheat noodles. You can also break a couple dishes outside friends and families places, with the more shards there are, the luckier they’ll be. It might be a lil’ dangerous to clean up but, don’t worry, we can always use that extra bit of luck. Or something a bit safer, standing on top of a chair and jumping into the new year!

Written By: Jason Yan

Sources: goodhousekeeping.com, Bashas.com, Saya

The putting up of the Rockefeller Tree is an annual tradition in New York. Starting in 1931, and becoming an annual tradition in 1933, this lighting ceremony has been going on for 92 years symbolizing the many things New York and the United States have gone through. The tree has become a symbol of hope, as it has stood through World War II and the 9/11 incident.  Now each year, the tree goes up in the middle of November, with the lighting ceremony on the Wednesday following Thanksgiving. The lighting ceremony is shown on national television to millions of people around the country. This year, the tree will be in place until January, so if you’re in Manhattan by 45th Rockefeller Plaza, or on the B, D, F, or M, trains, head over to get a look at the tree!

Written By: Lucinda Wilson-Petty

Source: Rockefellercenter.com

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