New Year's Day

New Year's Day History

New Year's Day, recognized globally as the start of a new calendar year, is often celebrated with anticipation, optimism, and reflection. It embodies a pristine blank slate, symbolically encouraging individuals to bid farewell to past setbacks and aspire for fresh starts and new goals. New Year's Day has a multifaceted significance in American society, leveraging its unique cultural, social, and personal context. The observance is distinguished by hearty festive meals, fireworks, parades, football games, and resolutions, reflecting America's exuberant spirit.

New Year's unveiling on January 1st is a relatively modern phenomenon tracing its roots back to 1752 when the Gregorian calendar was adopted in England and its colonies, including America. Before this, different societies marked their new year' at other times. The celebration in America possesses special features like the Rose Parade and the football Rose Bowl game. Besides, New Year's resolutions play a pivotal role, where Americans commit to self-improvement goals ranging from fitness and health to personal growth and charitable objectives.

In America, New Year's Day is perceived as a federal holiday, allowing people to pause their regular routines and engage in festive enjoyment. This day begins with social gatherings, often extending from the night of the previous year. Many participate in special activities such as the Polar Bear Plunge - a tradition of people plunging into frigid waters. Americans also watch the famous 'ball drop' in New York's Times Square. As the ball descends, they count down the last seconds of the old year to proudly enter the new. Falling on January 1st, New Year's Day, gives Americans a whole new year to write their future chapters.

Facts about New Year's Day

• Worldwide Baby New Year is the most common symbol associated with this holiday. He is a toddler dressed in a diaper, hat, and sash bearing the numbers of the new year. The myth states that he matures into an old man during the course of the year. On December 31st, he hands his hat and sash to the new Baby New Year.
• In the early Roman calendar, New Year was celebrated on March 1st. The new celebration of New Year on January 1st started in Rome in 153 BC. The New Year was moved to January because it was a month when two newly elected Roman consuls began their tenure, which reflected the beginning of civil year.
• In medieval Europe celebrations of New Year on January 1st were not always observed. Sometimes it was celebrated on Dec. 25th, March 1st and March 25th (The Feast of the Annunciation).
• Gregorian calendar came into force in 1582, which replaced the Julian calendar. It was introduced by Pope Gregory XIII. After adoption of Gregorian calendar, January 1st was restores as New Year’s day.
• All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them. - Walt Disney

In the News and Trending in the US for New Year's Day

Top things to do in the US for New Year's Day

• Make new resolutions for the upcoming year and let go of what happened in the previous one.
• Visit Times Square and watch the ball drop in New York City to celebrate the New Year.
• Sing Auld Lang Sine and kiss a loved one at the stroke of midnight.
• Take advantage of New Year's Eve skiing at a local ski hill near you. Usually the hills are less crowded and offer discounts on this holiday.