December 10 National Days

December 10, 2025, is the 345th day of the year, with 20 days remaining until the end of the year. Falling on a Wednesday in the 50th week, December 10th features six observances that focus on human rights, animal welfare and conservation, and the long history of lager. It is one of the calmer days in December’s calendar, offering space for reflection, learning, and appreciation across these themes.

Below is a list of all national and international days celebrated on December 10, each with a brief explanation.

National & International Days on December 10

Dewey Decimal System Day recognizes the contributions of Melvil Dewey, the American librarian and educator who created the Dewey Decimal Classification system. He developed the system in 1873 while working at Amherst College, and it was first published in 1876. Using a numerical structure to group materials by subject, the system offers a standardized way to organize mostly non-fiction books and remains one of the most widely used library classification methods in the world.

Festival for the Souls of Dead Whales is an awareness day created to memorialize whales lost to human activities such as commercial whaling, pollution, and climate change. Its purpose is to encourage reflection on the historical impact of whaling and the ongoing threats whales face in modern marine environments. Although the observance itself is not a traditional cultural festival, it relates thematically to practices in several coastal communities. In Japan, some towns hold ceremonies that honor whales taken in past hunts; in Vietnam, the Whale Worshiping Festival celebrates whales as protectors of fishermen; and Inuit communities maintain cultural practices tied to subsistence whaling.

Human Rights Day marks the 1948 adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations. The document defines the fundamental rights and freedoms owed to all people, regardless of background, religion, or social status, and serves as a cornerstone for international human rights efforts.

International Animal Rights Day was founded by the organization Uncaged in 1998 to highlight that animals deserve protection as sentient beings. The date mirrors Human Rights Day (same date) to show that compassion and ethical treatment can extend to all living creatures. The observance encourages learning about animal welfare issues, supporting stronger protections, and reflecting on how daily choices affect animals.

International Animal Rights Day

National Lager Day celebrates a brewing tradition that began in 15th-century Bavaria, where cool cellar storage accidentally led to the creation of the smooth, clean beer style known today as lager.

National Lager Day

🍺 Did you know there are dozens of alcohol-themed national days to celebrate? 🎉 We’ve put together a special list so you can find them all in one place!

Nobel Prize Day marks the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death and recognizes the awards he created in his 1895 will. Each year on December 10, the Nobel Prizes in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Economic Sciences are presented in Stockholm by the King of Sweden, followed by a formal banquet. On the same day in Oslo, the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee. The first prizes were given in 1901, and the observance highlights achievements that reflect Nobel’s goal of supporting work that benefits humanity.