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 favor 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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The rainbow connection
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Satellite image of sand and seaweed in the Bahamas
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Happy Presidents Day
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Mountain goats at Glacier National Park in Montana
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Casting a vote for women s history
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Native American Heritage Month
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Barcelona bids farewell to summer
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Watch your step
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A goldie gala
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Christmas Bird Count turns 125
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Castellfollit de la Roca, Catalonia, Spain
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Honoring our veterans
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Sailing across the ice
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Holi festival
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Black History Month
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International Day of the Worlds Indigenous Peoples
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World Bicycle Day
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Balloon Ascension Day
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Speed skaters in the Gangneung Oval, Pyeongchang, South Korea
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A medieval Moorish gem
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Kings of the Kalahari
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Big Bend National Park turns 78
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In search of roadside attractions on ‘America’s Highway’
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Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds, England
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Celebrating women in science
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Fight for your lefts
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Chapel on the rock
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Misool Island, Indonesia
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River Quoich in Aberdeenshire, Scotland
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Happy Holi!
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