Happy New Year"s Day! Humans have celebrated the new year since at least 2000 BCE, but various cultures have chosen different days coinciding with equinoxes or lunar cycles. The Romans established January 1 as the beginning of the year in 153 BCE, but this fell out of favour throughout Europe during the medieval era. Since 1582 and the widespread adoption of the Gregorian calendar, however, much of the world now celebrates the new year today. In addition to watching fireworks, drinking champagne and making resolutions in the wee hours of the morning, other global traditions include making noise, eating lucky foods and giving gifts.
Happy New Year!
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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Lake Ontario, Toronto, during winter
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Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico, USA
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Bring the king cakes
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Is anybody home?
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Building detail of Registan Square, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
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Love is in the snow
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Autumn in the Ogilvie Mountains, Yukon
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Lavender rows, Plateau de Valensole, Provence, France
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Kinder Scout, Peak District National Park, UK
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Celebrating Pi Day
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Nature’s blue wonder
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Nature at its colourful best
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Floating fruit market, Kaptai Lake, Rangamati, Bangladesh
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Grey seal pup
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World Environment Day
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Pretty in pink
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Blue hues and ceramic scenes of Porto
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The 50th Toronto International Film Festival
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Spotted owlet, Bangkok, Thailand
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National Frog Month
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World Lake Day
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National Llama Day
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Rethymno, Crete, Greece
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Temple of Philae, Aswan, Egypt
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Secluded sands in Mexico
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Nimble and stealthy
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Babbling on and on
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Chattooga River in the Appalachian Mountains, North Carolina, USA
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Celtic Colours International Festival
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Registan Square, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

