World Basketball Day 2025 highlights the remarkable journey of basketball from a simple indoor game to one of the most popular sports on the planet. Celebrated every year on December 21, the day commemorates the first-ever basketball game played in 1891. Today basketball is followed or played by nearly 3.3 billion people worldwide, making it a powerful global cultural force.

Why December 21 Is World Basketball Day

Recognising basketball’s global impact, the United Nations officially declared World Basketball Day in 2023. The day is observed annually on December 21 marking the anniversary of the first basketball game played in 1891.

The UN’s recognition reflects the sport’s role in,

• Promoting peace and inclusion
• Encouraging youth development
• Supporting education and healthy lifestyles
• Strengthening community bonds

Background: How Basketball Was Invented

• Basketball was invented in 1891 by James Naismith, a physical education instructor in the United States.
• Tasked with creating an indoor sport for winter, Naismith used a soccer ball and two peach baskets fixed high on the walls.
• The early version of the game was very different from what we see today.
• The baskets had no holes, so every time a player scored, someone had to climb a ladder to retrieve the ball.
• The game was slow, physical movement was limited, and rules were minimal.
• Despite these humble beginnings, the simplicity of the idea allowed basketball to grow rapidly.

From Slow Indoor Game to Global Sport

Over time, basketball evolved with faster gameplay, dribbling rules, modern hoops, and professional leagues. The sport spread from North America to Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America, becoming deeply rooted in urban and rural communities alike.

Today, basketball is played at,

• School and college levels
• Professional leagues
• Olympic and international competitions
• Street courts and community spaces
• With an estimated 3.3 billion people showing interest in the game, basketball has become one of the most widely followed sports in the world.

Why Basketball Matters Beyond Entertainment

Basketball is not just about scoring points. It plays a crucial role in personal and social development.

The sport promotes,

• Teamwork and cooperation
• Discipline and leadership
• Physical fitness and mental resilience
• Inclusion across gender, ability, and background

For young people, especially in urban and underprivileged areas, basketball often serves as a pathway to education, confidence, and opportunity.

Basketball as a Tool for Social Inclusion

Across the world, basketball is used in community programmes, schools, and social initiatives to engage youth and bring people together. It helps break social barriers and creates safe spaces for learning and expression.

However, access remains unequal. Many communities still lack,

• Safe basketball courts
• Proper equipment
• Structured training programmes

Expanding access to these resources is essential to ensure that basketball continues to unite people across cultures and generations.

Global Reach and Cultural Impact

• Basketball’s influence goes far beyond the court.
• It shapes fashion, music, popular culture, and social identity, particularly among young people.
• From grassroots street games to global tournaments, basketball connects millions through a shared love of the sport.
• Its simple requirement a ball and a hoop—has helped it cross borders more easily than many other sports.

Key Takeaways

• World Basketball Day is observed on December 21 every year.
• Basketball was invented in 1891 using a soccer ball and peach baskets.
• The sport now engages around 3.3 billion people globally.
• Basketball promotes teamwork, inclusion, and youth empowerment.
• The United Nations established World Basketball Day in 2023.
• Expanding access to courts and programmes is key to its future impact.

The United Nations marked the second World Meditation Day on the 21st December with a high level event at its headquarters in New York. Reaffirming the growing global recognition of meditation as a pathway to inner peace and global harmony. The observance brought together diplomats, spiritual leaders, scientists, and civil society members, reflecting the universal relevance of mindfulness in today’s fast-changing and conflict-prone world.

Organization of the Event

• The second World Meditation Day event was organized by the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, in collaboration with the missions of Andorra, Mexico, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
• These countries together form the core group behind the World Meditation Day initiative.
• The programme was held at the Trusteeship Council Chamber of the UN and witnessed participation from nearly 700 attendees, indicating strong global interest in meditation and mental well-being.

History of The Day

• World Meditation Day is a relatively new global observance.
• It was officially declared by the United Nations General Assembly on 6 December 2024 through Resolution A/RES/79/137, which was adopted unanimously.
• The resolution recognises meditation as a practice that promotes well-being, peace, and harmony at both individual and societal levels.

Significance of World Meditation Day

• World Meditation Day reflects the UN’s broader emphasis on mental well-being, preventive approaches to stress, and peaceful coexistence.
• In an era marked by conflicts, climate stress, and mental health challenges, the observance highlights meditation as a non-invasive, universally accessible practice that complements policy-driven solutions.

India’s Perspective at the UN

• India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Harish Parvathaneni, highlighted India’s civilizational philosophy that inner transformation leads to external transformation.
• He noted that inner peace at the individual level contributes to peace and harmony in the wider world.
• Representatives from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Andorra, and Mexico also spoke, recalling their collective efforts in finalising the UN resolution that institutionalised World Meditation Day.

Key Takeaways

• World Meditation Day is observed annually on 21 December.
• It was declared by the UN General Assembly on 6 December 2024.
• The relevant resolution is A/RES/79/137, adopted unanimously.
• The second observance was held at the UN Headquarters, New York.
• The event was led by the Permanent Mission of India with partner countries.
• Sri Sri Ravi Shankar delivered the keynote address and guided meditation.

The Winter Solstice 2025 occurs on Sunday, December 21 marking the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. On this day many regions experience only eight to nine hours of daylight. While it often goes unnoticed amid holiday celebrations, the winter solstice is a key astronomical event that explains why seasons change and why daylight begins to increase after December.

Why the Winter Solstice Is the Shortest Day

• The reason for the winter solstice lies in the tilt of the Earth.
• Earth rotates on an axis tilted by about 23.5 degrees.
• This tilt causes different parts of the planet to receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year.

In December, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun. As a result,

• The Sun appears lower in the sky
• Sunlight reaches the ground at a shallower angle
• Days become shorter, and nights become longer

At the same time, the Sun shines directly overhead at the Tropic of Capricorn, making it the longest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.

When Exactly Does the Winter Solstice Happen

• In 2025, the winter solstice occurs at 10:03 a.m. EST on December 21. This exact moment is when the Sun reaches its lowest apparent position in the sky relative to the Northern Hemisphere.

Although you won’t notice anything dramatic at that precise time, the effects are clear throughout the day,

• Very short daylight hours
• Early sunset
• The Sun remains low on the horizon even at noon

Cultural and Historical Importance

• For thousands of years, the winter solstice has been deeply significant to human civilizations.
• Ancient monuments such as Stonehenge in England were aligned with the solstice, where the setting Sun lines up with the stones on this day.
• Many winter festivals and celebrations across cultures are linked to the solstice, symbolizing rebirth, hope, and the return of light after the darkest day of the year.

What Happens After the Winter Solstice

• Although the winter solstice marks the shortest day, it also brings good news.
• From December 22 onward daylight hours begin to increase gradually, even though temperatures may continue to drop for several weeks.
• This slow return of sunlight is why the solstice has long been celebrated as a turning point in the year.

What You Can See in the Night Sky

The winter solstice also marks the beginning of some of the best stargazing nights of the year. Longer nights mean more time to observe the sky.

After sunset,

• Jupiter shines brightly in the southeastern sky
• Orion, one of the most recognisable constellations, becomes prominent
• Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, rises below Orion
• Around the solstice, the Ursid meteor shower also peaks, offering a chance to see a few fast-moving shooting stars under dark skies.

How to Observe the Winter Solstice Simply

• The best way to experience the solstice is through observation rather than instruments.
• Notice how low the Sun stays in the sky at midday and how early it sets.
• Checking local sunrise and sunset times helps you clearly see why this day is the shortest of the year.
• At night, finding a dark spot away from city lights allows you to fully enjoy the winter sky.

What Is a Solstice?

• A solstice is an astronomical event that happens twice a year, in June and December.
• The word comes from Latin, meaning “Sun stands still”, referring to how the Sun’s rising and setting points pause before reversing direction.
• June Solstice: Longest day in the Northern Hemisphere
• December Solstice: Shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere
• These events are different from equinoxes, which occur in March and September when day and night are nearly equal.

Key Takeaways

• Winter Solstice 2025 falls on December 21.
• It is the shortest day and longest night in the Northern Hemisphere.
• The event occurs due to Earth’s 23.5° axial tilt.
• The Sun is directly overhead at the Tropic of Capricorn.
• After the solstice, daylight hours gradually increase.