December 28

Observances and traditions

This date has both religious and secular observances. In Western Christianity it is traditionally kept as the Feast of the Holy Innocents (also called Childermas), commemorating the children described in the Gospel narrative of King Herod's massacre. Liturgical calendars mark the day with prayers and remembrances for those lost in infancy.

• Feast of the Holy Innocents / Childermas: a Christian observance remembering the massacre of young children in Bethlehem.
• Día de los Santos Inocentes: in many Spanish-speaking countries the date is associated with pranks and practical jokes, a cultural parallel to April Fools' Day.
• Local customs: various regions attach traditional songs, services, or charitable acts to the day.

History and notable events

The date has appeared in a range of historical and cultural contexts. It is part of the extended Christmas season in Christian practice. In modern cultural history, December 28, 1895, is often cited as the day the Lumière brothers held one of the first commercial public film screenings in Paris, an event commonly regarded as a milestone in the development of cinema. Other historical anniversaries, ecclesiastical decisions and local commemorations also fall on this date in different years.

Calendar facts and distinctions

Because civil calendars, liturgical calendars and regional customs vary, the way December 28 is observed depends on local practice. Some Eastern Orthodox churches that continue to use the older Julian calendar observe feasts on dates that differ from the civil (Gregorian) calendar; as a result, the civil date for their liturgical December 28 can fall on a different day. The day number (362 or 363) and its place in the sequence of the year make it a frequent reference point in year-end accounting, scheduling and seasonal planning.

For more general information about leap-year calculations and the calendar system that defines this date, see discussions of the concept of a leap year and the Gregorian calendar.