December 12 Holidays

Jamhuri Day is Kenya’s national holiday marking December 12, 1963, when Kenya gained independence from Britain under Jomo Kenyatta — the date also marks December 12, 1964, when Kenya became a republic. Guadalupe Day — the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe — marks December 12, 1531, when the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin on the Hill of Tepeyac near Mexico City, leaving an image on his tilma cloak — an image venerated by more than 20 million pilgrims at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe annually. Gingerbread House Day celebrates the confectionery architecture tradition — building elaborate structures from gingerbread, royal icing, and candy — popularized by the Brothers Grimm’s 1812 version of Hansel and Gretel and industrialized by Victorian-era German confectioners. International Day of Neutrality was established by the UN General Assembly to raise awareness for the role of neutrality in international relations, conflict prevention, and mediation.