Humans have celebrated the start of each new year with parties, festivals, and religious ceremonies for millennia. However, we haven't always agreed on the beginning of the year. Four thousand years ago, the first new moon after the Vernal Equinox was regarded as the dividing line between the previous year and the new one in ancient Babylon. After Julius Caesar made major changes to the Roman calendar in 45 BCE, January 1 became the start of the new year for the first time. Ancient Romans commemorated the day with sacrifices to Janus, the Roman god of beginnings (after whom the month of January is named), as well as gift exchanges and large parties.
Related Facts
Fun Fact! It is Far Better to Face the Bullets in the First World War...
Fun Fact! Shellac is made from bug droppings.
Fun Fact! Cars Weren't Invented in the United States
Fun Fact! There are no airports in Liechtenstein.
Fun Fact! Some colors are only good in small doses.
Fun Fact! Walt Disney Didn't Draw Mickey Mouse
Fun Fact! Estonia is home to one of Europe's oldest pharmacies.
Fun Fact! German chocolate cake was invented in Texas
Fact! The History of Korean Popular Music can be traced back to 1885.
Fun Fact! Ten Communities in Scandinavia Have the Shortest City Names
The 29th of May has been designated as "Put a Pillow on Your Fridge Day."
In Mexico, escaping from prison is completely lawful.
Fun Fact! There Is a Place Called "Batman"
Nobody knows where "The Midnight Kiss" or New Year's eve came from.
Dior was the first brand to get in the designing and manufacturing of sun glasses.
Funny right? There Will Be No Whining About Monday Morning Blues!
Fun Fact! Libya Has Had Only One King In Its Lifetime
Once upon a Time chocolate was used as currency! Funny Right?
Fun Fact! Moldova is the least visited country in Europe.
It is possible to walk from the United States to Russia.
Fun Fact! There are world records associated with the Kites!
Fun Fact! The Batsuit has it all.
Fun Fact! Kite originated in China!
Fun Fact! Greece wasn't officially known as Greece!
Fun Fact! Despite the poverty, luxury tourism has arrived in Madagascar