20 December: what is celebrated today

International Human Solidarity Day

Proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2005, this day seeks to remind us that solidarity is a universal value and a fundamental tool for achieving peace, equity and global well-being.

Being supportive does not only mean donating money or time: it means feeling part of a human community, where another person's pain or need does not leave us indifferent. Solidarity brings people together beyond borders, religions or ideologies, and is expressed through simple gestures—listening, being there, sharing, caring—that transform the world through everyday life.

The UN chose 20 December to reaffirm the international commitment to eradicate poverty and promote sustainable development, inspired by figures such as Gandhi, Mandela and Mother Teresa, who made empathy their banner.

This day also invites us to practise solidarity in practical ways: donating clothes or books, taking part in volunteer activities, offering support to someone who needs it, or even adopting an abandoned animal.

World Skepticism Day

Also known as Critical Thinking Day, this date is celebrated in tribute to Carl Sagan, who died on 20 December 1996. The American astronomer and science communicator passionately defended the importance of reason and curiosity as antidotes to ignorance and manipulation.

Scepticism is not about denying everything, but about learning to ask questions, to doubt intelligently, to seek evidence before believing. Thanks to thinkers such as Sagan, modern science became a tool of intellectual freedom.

Today, in an era of hoaxes, conspiracy theories and disinformation, this day makes more sense than ever: it reminds us that the best way to honour the truth is to keep doubt alive.

World Sangria Day

From thought we move on to pleasure. On 20 December, people also raise a glass to one of the most emblematic drinks of Iberian culture: sangria, a blend of wine, fruit and spices that has brightened gatherings and summers in Spain, Portugal and Latin America for centuries.

This refreshing drink has rural origins: farmers prepared it by mixing wine with seasonal fruit to combat the heat while they worked. Today it has become a symbol of togetherness and shared joy, perfect for toasting at end-of-year celebrations.

To celebrate it, you can prepare your own version with red wine, orange slices, peach, a touch of cinnamon and plenty of ice.

International Wrinkled Shirt Day

On a more ecological (and fun) note, this day—created in Argentina in 2019 by organisations such as Red Solidaria and Mundo Invisible—invites us not to iron clothes for a day and thus save electricity, helping to care for the planet.

The iron is one of the household appliances that consumes the most energy, so letting our shirts breathe their wrinkles is, paradoxically, an act of love towards the Earth.

Moreover, wrinkles can be a symbol of authenticity and freedom: living without so much perfectionism, without worrying so much about appearance.

Ugly Christmas Jumper Day

And to end the day (and the year) with humour, the third Friday in December is celebrated as Ugly Christmas Jumper Day, a tradition that began in North America and has spread throughout the world.

The idea is simple: put on the most horrible, colourful or ridiculous Christmas jumper you can find—with reindeer, lights or a rock-and-roll Father Christmas—and laugh at yourself in the most fun-loving spirit of Christmas.

Celebrating this day is celebrating a sense of humour and collective enjoyment. What matters is not looking good, but having a good time.