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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Happy Cousins Day!
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To Roswell, and beyond!
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A holiday beacon of light
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Gazing upon Portraits of Change
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Knuthöjdsmossen, a nature reserve in Sweden
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World Space Week
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Fall comes to the Last Frontier
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Sunbeams across Tartu County, Estonia
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Johnston Canyon in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
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Pont dArcole over the Seine river, Paris, France
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Dunquin Pier, County Kerry, Ireland
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International Mountain Day
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Elephant Rock, Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia
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Boxing Day in East Yorkshire, England
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Life in the slow lane
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Dark Sky Week
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Chestnut-headed bee-eaters, Bardia National Park, Nepal
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Arched iceberg, western Antarctic Peninsula, Southern Ocean
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Point Reyes National Seashore
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National Park Week
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Pascua Florida Day
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St. James Tidal Pool, Cape Town, South Africa
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Amphitheatre of El Jem, Tunisia
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Glowworm caves in Australia
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International Museum Day
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Bridge of Hillsborough County
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Up on the glacier
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Tremola Road on the Saint Gotthard Pass in Airolo, Switzerland
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Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
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Spring equinox
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

