New Year’s Day
Date
January 1st is the first day of the year in the Gregorian calendar, which is used in most countries.
Origin
The earliest recorded New Year’s celebrations date back to ancient Babylon, about 4,000 years ago.
Name
The month of January is named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and doors and gates.
Calendar
Pope Gregory XIII established January 1 as New Year’s Day in 1582.
Traditions
New Year’s Day is often celebrated with parties, gatherings, and making resolutions. Some traditions include:
- Kissing at midnight to prevent loneliness and ward off evil spirits
- Eating leafy greens for prosperity
- Eating legumes for prosperity because beans and peas look like coins
- Avoiding lobster and chicken because they are considered bad luck foods
- Eating soba noodles in Japan to symbolize a break away from the old year
- Avoiding washing clothes, dishes, or taking out the trash on New Year’s Day
