New Year's Day
New Year's Day is the first day of the
year, in the
Gregorian calendar. In modern times, it is
January 1. In most countries, it is a
holiday. It is still celebrated as a religious holy day on
January 14 by those who still follow the
Julian calendar such as followers of some of the
Eastern Orthodox churches known as
Old Calendarists.
January 1 marks the end of a period of remembrance of the passing year, especially in radio, television and the newspapers, which usually starts right after Christmas Day. Political parties, governments and sports teams are rated by journalists, notable events are reevaluated in summaries in news sources, comedians get to reuse comedic material about news events again.
This day is traditionally a religious feast, but since the 1900s, has become an occasion to celebrate on the night between December 31 and January 1, called New Year's Eve. There are often fireworks at midnight. Depending on the country, individuals may be allowed to burn fireworks, even if it is forbidden the rest of the year.
It is also an occasion to make New Year resolutions, the most popular ones in the western world include to stop tobacco smoking or drinking, or to lose weight or get physically fit.
- Tournament of Roses in Pasadena, California, which includes a parade, activities, and the Rose Bowl football game
- On New Year's Eve, famous celebrations takes place in Times Square, New York, New York and Trafalgar Square, London
- Vienna New Year's Concert, in Austria
- Junkanoo parade, in Nassau, Bahamas
- Some US mayors hold New Year's levees
- Hogmanay in Scotland
History
In the Middle Ages, most European countries used the
Julian calendar. By this method, Annunciation Day as it was called, was celebrated on
March 25. This celebration was to honour the day that it was announced that
Mary would give birth to the Son of
God,
Jesus. This is exactly nine months before what is now
Christmas Day.
In 1582, the Gregorian calendar was introduced, and Roman Catholic countries began to celebrate New Year's Day on January 1. This calendar heralded a slow but gradual introduction, Scotland in 1600; Germany, Denmark and Sweden about 1700; then Britain and its colonies in 1752.
Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah, meaning 'beginning of the year', is the Jewish New Year. It is generally celebrated in
September, on the first two days of
Tishrei. This celebration is prescribed by the
Old Testament as a Holy Sabbath.
The Chinese celebrate New Year's Day sometime between January 10 and
February 19 of the Gregorian calendar. Each year is symbolized by one of twelve animals, on an even recouring pattern. It is their most important holiday. See
Chinese New Year