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14 December: what is celebrated today
14 December is a date that combines awareness, art, empathy and nature. On this day, four observances are commemorated which, although very different from one another, share the same essence: respect for life—whether that of animals, children, artists or those facing health problems.
World Monkey Day
Since 2003, every 14 December the world has celebrated World Monkey Day, a light-hearted but also reflective day dedicated to all primates. The initiative arose from students at the University of Michigan, who organised exhibitions and artistic parties to pay tribute to our closest relatives.
There are currently more than 260 species of monkey, and one in ten is in serious danger of extinction. Poaching and the destruction of forests are their main threats. This day seeks to promote their protection and spread a message of respect for wildlife.
Monkeys share up to 95% of their genes with humans; they can communicate with gestures, laugh, become depressed and even ‘tell off’ their young. Celebrating their day is also celebrating our own nature.
International Children's Day of Broadcasting
On the second Sunday in December, promoted by UNICEF, media outlets around the world open their microphones to the true protagonists of the future: children.
On International Children's Day of Broadcasting, programmes fill with young voices sharing their ideas, concerns and dreams. This date reminds us that communication can also be a human-rights tool: to educate, listen and give space to those who are usually silenced.
The objective is twofold: to spread children's rights and give them a place to express themselves without filters. Listening to children — on the radio, on television or at home — is the beginning of changing the world from the roots up.
International Choral Singing Day
The second Sunday in December is also International Choral Singing Day, established in 1990 by the Venezuelan composer Alberto Grau under the auspices of the International Federation for Choral Music (FIMC).
More than 450 events are held each year in more than 35 countries, with the participation of choirs, musicians and conductors joining their voices for peace and solidarity. From large orchestras to small local choirs, choral singing transforms differences into collective harmony.
This date reminds us that singing together is a profoundly human act: a form of communication, resistance and shared hope.
National Obese Person Day (Spain)
In Spain, 14 December is dedicated to raising awareness of obesity, now considered a chronic metabolic disease and one of the major public-health challenges of the 21st century.
More than 50% of adults and nearly 14% of Spanish children have obesity, according to data from the European Health Survey. The causes are multiple: inadequate diet, sedentary lifestyles, stress, sleep habits and emotional factors.
Campaigns such as ‘Say NO to OBESTRÉS’, promoted by the Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition, promote healthy habits, nutrition education and physical exercise. This day does not seek to point fingers, but to support and raise awareness, reminding us that health is not measured in sizes, but in wellbeing and balance.