Happy New Year

Happy New Year!

Did You Know? . . .

• The earliest recorded New Year’s celebrations were held by the ancient Babylonians around 2000 BC. They celebrated the new year in honor of their god Marduk, who they believed had saved them from their enemies.
• In ancient Rome, the new year was celebrated on March 1, which was the start of the Roman calendar. The month of January, named after the Roman god Janus, was added to the calendar later and became the start of the new year.
• The custom of making New Year’s resolutions dates back to the ancient Babylonians, who made promises to their gods at the start of each new year.
• In medieval England, the traditional gift for New Year’s was a “New Year’s gift,” which was a small present or token of appreciation given to friends and loved ones.
• The New Year’s Eve ball drop in Times Square, New York City, is a tradition that dates back to 1907. The ball is made of Waterford Crystal and weighs over 11,000 pounds.
• The New Year is celebrated on January 1 in most countries around the world, but in some places, the new year is celebrated on different dates. For example, in the Jewish calendar, the new year (Rosh Hashanah) falls in the autumn, and in the Chinese calendar, the new year falls on a date between January 21 and February 20.