Curating a movie list is like opening a treasure chest filled with cinematic gems tailored to match the mood and occasion. Whether you’re in the mood for a spooky thrill with Halloween classics or seeking the warmth of love in a romance film, these lists are designed to enhance your viewing experience. From family-friendly adventures that bring everyone together to the timeless allure of musicals and mysteries that keep you guessing, each list captures the essence of its genre or theme, ensuring there’s something for every type of movie lover.
Celebrations and special occasions also get their own spotlight with themed lists for Valentine’s Day, holidays, and patriotic events, among others. Whether you’re a fan of iconic franchises like Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, or James Bond, or you’re gearing up for a dedicated movie night, these lists offer a curated selection that pays homage to the best of cinema. Dive into the cinematic universe of Marvel heroes, enjoy the epic scores on National Filmscore Day, or explore global cinema for a taste of stories from around the world—these movie lists are your guide to unforgettable movie nights and beyond.
With the summer travel season upon us, National Wanna Get Away Day celebrates our freedom to get away on June 18th.
Planning memorable trips and get-aways brings out the adventurer in all of us! These get-aways take us to family we long to see and historic places. We seek the sun, sand, big cities and the countryside, too. It is a national pastime with deep roots – one that connects all of us to the people and places most important in our lives. National Wanna Get Away Day is the perfect day for celebrating, dreaming, and planning all the adventures you will take this year and every year after!
As a resident of Florida we love our beautiful beaches, nightlife and picturesque towns. Some of the best hidden treasures in Florida are found outside of the big touristy places like Orlando, Miami, and St Augustine. Places like Destin, Pensacola, Sea Side, and even Gulf Shores, Alabama offer great views, premium culture and a relaxing stay that truly feel like an Oasis to get away from it all. I grew up just across from Panama City Beach that still offers a small town vibe.
In 2021, Southwest Airlines® founded National Wanna Get Away to commemorate the airline’s 50th Anniversary. At Southwest, they have spent half a century making everything seem a little bit closer and giving people the freedom to get away, wherever and whenever. In 1996, Southwest coined the phrase “Wanna Get Away®” to highlight the Company’s expansion. The phrase also creates humorous moments relevant to its Customers within its marketing. As “Wanna Get Away” has become an iconic and recognized expression for the brand, Southwest took it a step further to celebrate its 50th Anniversary by announcing this new annual day.
On June 18th, celebrate the freedom to travel with National Wanna Get Away Day! With so many places to go and people to see, the day gives you the opportunity to spark your travel adventures.
Korean American Day on January 13 commemorates the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States in 1903. The day also honors the Korean American’s immense contributions to every aspect of society.
In 1882, the United States and Korea signed a treaty establishing a peaceful relationship, friendship, and commerce. While this led to Korean diplomats, students, politicians, and businessmen visiting the United States, few felt compelled to stay.
It wasn’t until December of 1902 on the SS Gaelic that 102 Korean immigrants set sail for Honolulu, Hawaii. These families initiated the first wave of Korean immigration, resulting in over 7,500 immigrants over the next two years.
They served their communities and their country during World Wars I and II and the Korean War. During these times, more Koreans decided to emigrate from their homeland; some, as wives to U.S. servicemen, others were adopted as children.
Honoring a Few
Ahn Chang Ho – also known as Dosan, one of the earlier immigrants, Ho is credited with establishing the Willows Korean Aviation Corps in the United States, which later helped establish the Korean Airforce.
Sammy Lee – Olympic two-time gold medalist in diving (1948 – London) and (1952 – Helsinki).
Wendy Gramm – Served as U.S Commodity Futures Trading Commission chair under Presidents Reagan and Bush I.
Judge Herbert Y.C. Choy – First Asian American appointed to U.S. Federal Court (Court of Appeals Ninth District) in 1974.
David Hyun – Architect charged with revitalizing Little Tokyo in Los Angeles.
Sang Hyun Lee – First tenured Asian American professor at Princeton Theological Seminary
Hines Ward, Jr. – Professional football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers
KOREAN AMERICAN DAY HISTORY
In 2003, President George W. Bush proclaimed a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first Korean immigrants. In 2005, the U.S. House and Senate passed simple resolutions in support of Korean American Day. Since then, states across the country have passed bills declaring January 13th as an annual celebration of Korean American Day.
You can also visit Korean American Story to hear their stories or document your own. Find out more or share your experience by using #KoreanAmericanDay on social media.
January is National Hobby Month, the perfect time of year to pick up a new hobby, or get back into an old one that you haven’t thought about in a while! The great thing about having a hobby is that it can take your mind off the pressure of work or other daily stresses. Sit down and think about what you really love to do. What are you passionate about in life? What sparks your interest the most? What are you curious about? What are your goals? Finding a good hobby and giving yourself time to take part in it on a daily or weekly basis is sure to make you happier, and maybe even healthier.
“It can be coins or sports or politics or horses or music or faith… the saddest people I’ve ever met in life are the ones who don’t care deeply about anything at all. Passion and satisfaction go hand in hand, and without them, any happiness is only temporary, because there’s nothing to make it last.” -Nicholas Sparks, Dear John
Use #NationalHobbyMonth to post on social media. Talk about a new hobby you’ve picked up or better yet, post a photo or video of you doing it to get others inspired to do the same! If you’re having trouble thinking of a hobby to get into, we’ve put together a list of some healthy activities for you to consider.
Get to the gym 5 days a week. Running on a treadmill, lifting weights, or taking workout classes are great hobbies to take up because they are sure to improve your quality of life, both physically and mentally.
Try gardening. It stimulates your mind, involves a little physical activity, and it’s rewarding. Research shows gardening can even help improve your mood almost instantly, can lower your risk of dementia, and relieves stress.
Start cooking at home more often. If you can learn to cook wholesome, nutritious meals for yourself and your family, you’ll save money and have a healthier lifestyle. Cooking can also be therapeutic in itself, and will allow you some alone time to create beautiful dishes!
Take up yoga. No matter your age, gender, or level of physical fitness, yoga will increase your strength and flexibility. It also gives people clarity, peace of mind, and is overall a big stress reliever for anybody.
If you have the time, money, and are willing to add a responsibility to your life… Buy a pet! Animals have been proven to improve mental health for many people. Research shows owning and bonding with a pet decreases the risk of depression, anxiety, and stress.
Volunteer. Being a part of your community and lending a hand without getting paid in return has shown to incredibly improve mental health and give people a sense of fulfillment.
Give reading and/or writing a try. Picking up a good book, journaling, and blogging are all great ways to help clear your mind. They can temporarily take you to another place or time, allow you to express your thoughts freely, and even improve your vocabulary.
Finally… Travel! Take a week or two off work and go experience another culture. Whether you go on a tropical vacation and spend days on the beach, or head to the cold snowy mountains to hit the slopes, traveling helps to shift your perspective, and can even help you discover yourself.
…And if you’re really lucky, you can find what you love to do and turn it into your career. You know what they say. If you make your hobby your job, you’ll never have to work a day in your life.
December bursts onto the calendar like a firework finale—cold, sparkling, and impossible to ignore. As the twelfth and final month of the Gregorian year, it wraps up 31 days of contrasts: shortest daylight hours in the Northern Hemisphere, longest in the Southern, and a global whirlwind of holidays, reflections, and fresh starts. Whether you’re bundling up against snowstorms or firing up the barbecue for summer solstice, December demands attention. Let’s dive into its overview, standout highlights, rich history, and the symbolic gems and blooms that define birthdays in this electrifying month.
December Overview
December derives its name from the Latin decem, meaning “ten”—a quirky holdover from the ancient Roman calendar, where it was the tenth month before January and February were added around 153 BCE. Today, it’s the gateway to winter in the north (starting with the winter solstice around December 21–22) and summer down south. Astronomically, it features the Geminids meteor shower peaking mid-month, lighting up skies with up to 120 shooting stars per hour. Culturally, it’s a festival frenzy: Christmas on the 25th for Christians, Hanukkah (variable but often overlapping), Kwanzaa from December 26 to January 1, and New Year’s Eve capping it all. Expect eggnog, resolutions, and a collective sigh of “where did the year go?”
Key Highlights
December’s calendar is packed with events that blend solemnity, joy, and spectacle:
Winter Solstice (December 21–22): The shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere, marking the official start of winter. Ancient cultures celebrated it as a rebirth of the sun—think Stonehenge gatherings or modern Yule festivals.
Christmas (December 25): The big one for over 2 billion people, commemorating Jesus’s birth with trees, gifts, and feasts. Secular twists include Santa Claus (inspired by Saint Nicholas) and global traditions like Germany’s Christkindlmarkt or Mexico’s posadas.
Hanukkah: The Jewish Festival of Lights, lasting eight days and often falling in December. It honors the rededication of the Second Temple with menorah lighting, dreidel games, and latkes.
Kwanzaa (December 26–January 1): A celebration of African heritage created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, focusing on seven principles like unity and creativity, with candles, crops, and kinara.
New Year’s Eve (December 31): Fireworks, countdowns, and Auld Lang Syne worldwide. Fun fact: Times Square’s ball drop in NYC started in 1907 and now draws millions.
Other Notables: Bodhi Day (December 8) for Buddhists, marking Buddha’s enlightenment; Human Rights Day (December 10); and the Urs festival in some Muslim traditions.
From charity drives to office parties, December is dynamic indeed— a month that forces us to pause, celebrate, and propel into the next year.
December’s roots run deep. In the original Roman calendar (circa 753 BCE), it was the tenth month in a 10-month year. Julius Caesar’s Julian reform in 45 BCE solidified its 31 days, and Pope Gregory XIII’s 1582 tweak aligned it with the solar year we know today.
Historically, it’s seen triumphs and tragedies:
1620: The Mayflower Pilgrims land at Plymouth Rock, laying groundwork for American Thanksgiving ties.
1914: The Christmas Truce during WWI, where soldiers fraternized in no-man’s-land.
1955: Rosa Parks refuses to give up her bus seat on December 1, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
1969: The ALT key is patented on December 23 (yes, that computer essential).
Darker notes: The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami on December 26 killed over 230,000.
December has hosted scientific breakthroughs too—like the first successful heart transplant in 1967 (December 3)—and cultural milestones, from Beethoven’s death in 1827 to the premiere of Avatar in 2009.
Birthday Symbolism: Birthstones and Flowers
Born in December? You’re in elite company with triple birthstones and dual flowers, symbolizing prosperity, love, and resilience.
Birthstones
December boasts three official gems, a rarity:
Turquoise: The ancient star, prized by Persians, Aztecs, and Native Americans for protection and healing. Its blue-green hues evoke clear skies and good fortune.
Zircon: Sparkling and versatile, available in blue, yellow, or clear. It symbolizes wisdom and honor, with a fiery brilliance rivaling diamonds.
Tanzanite: A modern addition (discovered in 1967 in Tanzania), this rare blue-violet stone represents transformation and prosperity. It’s 1,000 times rarer than diamonds.
Wear them for luck—turquoise wards off evil, zircon boosts confidence, and tanzanite sparks intuition.
Birth Flowers
Two blooms share the spotlight:
Narcissus (Paperwhite): Pure white petals symbolize hope, rebirth, and new beginnings—perfect for year-end babies. In mythology, it’s tied to the vain Narcissus, but positively, it means “you are the only one.”
Holly: Evergreen with red berries, embodying truth, defense against evil, and domestic happiness. Ancient Druids saw it as sacred; Christians link it to Christmas crowns of thorns.
December birthdays get a symbolic toolkit for thriving amid change: stones for strength, flowers for renewal.
Famous December Birthdays: Stars Who Lit Up the World
December isn’t just the month of twinkling lights and holiday cheer—it’s also a powerhouse for birthdays, churning out icons who’ve shaped music, film, sports, and history. From pop sensations to trailblazing leaders, these December babies bring that end-of-year energy: bold, reflective, and ready to make an impact. Whether you’re a fellow Sagittarian firecracker (born before December 22) or a steadfast Capricorn (after), the month delivers a diverse lineup of talent.
Woody Allen
Bette Midler
Walt Disney
Judi Dench
Demi Moore
Frank Sinatra
Taylor Swift
Dick Van Dyke
Steven Spielberg
Brad Pitt
Ted Cruz
Annie Lennox
Justin Trudeau
Tiger Woods
LeBron James
Anthony Hopkins
John Denver
Why December Babies Rock
Astrologically, these Sagittarians and Capricorns embody adventure and ambition—think explorers like Ludwig van Beethoven (December 16, 1770), whose symphonies still thunder, or Stan Lee (December 28, 1922), the Marvel maestro behind your superhero obsessions. No wonder December feels like a grand finale: it’s packed with creators who turn winter’s chill into cultural heat.
Wrapping Up the Year with Sparkle
Dynamic December isn’t just a month—it’s a mood. It challenges us to reflect on the past while igniting hope for tomorrow, all under twinkling lights and frosty breaths. Whether you’re toasting with champagne or stargazing at meteors, embrace the energy. Happy December—may your days be merry, bright, and boldly forward! 🎄✨
