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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China s colorful terraced pools
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Here’s why landmarks are going dark
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Glacial rivers in Iceland
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Go climb a tree
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Racing toward history
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Sparkling ice diamonds on a black sandy beach
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Through an artist s eyes
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Hiding in plain sight
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Bay Marker Lookout, Sydney Olympic Park, Australia
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Daylight saving time
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Back on the rise
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Palace of Westminster, London, England
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Seattle Central Library, Seattle, Washington
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3,000 years of history
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Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
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A giant relic in Java
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World Environment Day
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Yarn for Distaff Day
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Barracudas at Shark Reef, Ras Mohammed National Park, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt
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Whales in winter
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Celebrating the UN’s International Day of Families
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Labor Day parade in 1915 Chicago
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Pi Day
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World Teachers Day
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Homeward bound
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J.R.R. Tolkien Day
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Perseid meteor shower over Nevada
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Jackie Robinson Day
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Bardenas Reales Biosphere Reserve and Natural Park, Spain
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Wicker fields in Cañamares, Spain
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

