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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Stonewall uprising anniversary
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Red Rocks, Sedona, Arizona, United States
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World Wildlife Day
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International Surfing Day
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World Teachers Day
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Nuit Blanche Toronto
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Burns Night in Scotland
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Oloupena Falls, island of Molokai, Hawaii, United States
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Snowy owl near the Canadian Rockies
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Splügen Pass, Switzerland
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A day for cousins of every stripe
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Waitangi Day in New Zealand
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Whooper swans, Kotoku Pond, Japan
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Old City of Dubrovnik in Dalmatia, Croatia
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Aerial view of Venice, Italy
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A life-sized snow globe
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Merry Christmas!
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Dare to delve into this dense swamp
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Harbour and longtail boats at Ko Samui, Thailand
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St. James Tidal Pool, Cape Town, South Africa
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World Penguin Day
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World Pizza Day
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Salzburg, Austria
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Elbe river in Dresden, Saxony, Germany
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Maya site of Copán
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River Thames, London, England
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Chittorgarh Fort, Rajasthan, India
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World Octopus Day
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Village of Santa Maddalena, Dolomites, Italy
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Broken Beach in Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

