New Year's has been celebrated for thousands of years, but the way we celebrate it has evolved significantly over time. This article explores the history of New Year's celebrations from ancient times to modern day.
Ancient New Year's Celebrations
The earliest recorded New Year's celebrations date back to ancient Babylonia around 4000 years ago. They celebrated the start of a new year with an 11-day festival called Akitu that involved feasting, music, and religious rituals. The ancient Egyptians also celebrated the New Year with a festival, but they held it during the summer solstice. The Romans adopted January 1st as the New Year under Julius Caesar in 46 BCE, and the celebration spread throughout Europe throughout the Middle Ages.
New Year's Traditions Around the World
Different cultures around the world have their own unique customs and traditions for New Year's. In Spain, for example, people eat 12 grapes at midnight to bring good luck for the coming year. In Japan, they celebrate with a traditional dish called mochi, and perform a ritual called Joya no Kane, in which temple bells are rung 108 times to banish 108 worldly desires. In Scotland, they have a tradition called Hogmanay, which involves visiting friends and family after midnight and giving gifts.
New Year's Resolutions
The tradition of making New Year's resolutions dates back to ancient Babylon, where people made promises to the gods at the start of the New Year to repay debts and return borrowed goods. Today, many people make personal promises to themselves at the start of the year, such as quitting a bad habit or starting a new hobby.
Modern Celebrations
In modern times, New Year's is often celebrated with parties, fireworks, and the famous ball drop in Times Square. Many people also watch the countdown on TV at home with family and friends. New Year's Eve is one of the biggest party nights of the year, with celebrations taking place all over the world.
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