HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2025
As one of the most globally celebrated holidays, New Year’s Day marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. While many of us are familiar with fireworks, countdowns, and resolutions, there are countless fascinating facts about this festive time of year that are worth exploring. Here are ten random facts about New Year’s traditions, history, and quirks from around the world.
- The Oldest New Year Celebration Dates Back Over 4,000 Years
The first recorded New Year’s celebration took place in ancient Babylon around 2000 BCE. Babylonians didn’t celebrate in January, as we do today, but rather during the spring equinox in March. Their festival, called Akitu, lasted 11 days and involved rituals to honor the gods, particularly Marduk, the patron deity of Babylon.
- January Is Named After the Roman God Janus
The month of January is named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings, transitions, and doorways. Janus is depicted with two faces: one looking to the past and the other to the future. This symbolism makes him a fitting figure for the New Year, as people reflect on the previous year while looking ahead to the next.
- The Times Square Ball Drop Has Its Origins in 1907
The iconic ball drop in New York City’s Times Square began in 1907 as a replacement for fireworks, which had been banned due to safety concerns. The first ball was made of iron and wood and weighed 700 pounds. Today’s ball is a glittering spectacle of Waterford crystal, weighing nearly 12,000 pounds and covered in over 32,000 LEDs.
- Fireworks Are Rooted in Ancient Traditions
The use of fireworks to celebrate the New Year originated in China. Around 200 BCE, the Chinese believed that loud noises and bright lights would ward off evil spirits and bad luck. This tradition spread globally and evolved into the dazzling pyrotechnic displays we see today.
- More Than a Million People Gather in Rio de Janeiro for New Year’s
One of the largest New Year’s celebrations in the world takes place on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Over a million people dressed in white—a color symbolizing peace—gather to watch fireworks, dance, and throw offerings into the sea for Yemanjá, the goddess of the ocean in Afro-Brazilian religions.
- Some Cultures Eat Lucky Foods
Many countries have traditional foods that are believed to bring good luck for the coming year. In Spain, people eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight, one for each month of the year, to ensure prosperity. In the southern United States, dishes like black-eyed peas, greens, and cornbread are staples, symbolizing wealth and good fortune.
- The New Year Arrives First in Kiribati
The Line Islands in Kiribati, a Pacific island nation, are the first places on Earth to welcome the New Year. Due to their position near the International Date Line, they celebrate at 10:00 AM UTC on December 31, hours before many other parts of the world.
- Resolutions Date Back to the Babylonians
The tradition of making New Year’s resolutions is also credited to the ancient Babylonians. They would make promises to their gods to repay debts and return borrowed items. While the promises we make today may differ, the spirit of self-improvement and accountability remains the same.
- Scotland’s Hogmanay Is Unique
Hogmanay, the Scottish celebration of the New Year, is renowned for its unique customs. One tradition is “first-footing,” where the first person to enter a home after midnight brings gifts like coal, shortbread, or whisky to ensure good luck. Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Festival is also famous for its torchlit processions, concerts, and fireworks.
- “Auld Lang Syne” Is a Scottish Tradition
The song "Auld Lang Syne," sung at the stroke of midnight in many English-speaking countries, originates from Scotland. Written by poet Robert Burns in 1788, it translates to "old long since" and is a nostalgic reflection on times past. Its popularity spread globally, making it an integral part of New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Honorable Mentions:
New Year’s Day Wasn’t Always January 1st: Many cultures, including the Romans, marked the New Year in March. It wasn’t until 1582, when Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar, that January 1st became the standard start of the year.
The Midnight Kiss: The tradition of kissing at midnight has roots in European folklore, where it was believed that the first person you interacted with in the New Year would set the tone for the months ahead.
Global Customs: In Denmark, people throw old plates and glasses at the doors of friends to banish bad spirits. Meanwhile, in the Philippines, round objects like coins and fruits are emphasized, symbolizing prosperity.
New Year’s is a time of hope and renewal, celebrated in countless ways across the globe. These traditions and facts highlight the rich tapestry of human culture and the universal desire to mark time’s passage with joy and optimism.