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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‘Only one Earth’
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Pushkarni, Sri Krishna Temple, Hampi, Karnataka
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Bardenas Reales Biosphere Reserve and Natural Park, Navarra, Spain
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Independence Day
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Anshun Bridge, Chengdu, China
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What the heck is a distaff?
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Walton Lighthouse, Santa Cruz, California, USA
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A ghost on the mountain
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Avalanche Lake Trail at Adirondack High Peaks, New York, United States
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International Archaeology Day
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Fishing boat on beach in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu
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Get in tune with International Jazz Day
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Colours of spring
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A pair of high achievers
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Canoeing in solitude
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The buffet is open
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Gandhi Jayanti
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Himeji Castle, Himeji, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan
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Tulips, Netherlands
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Himalaya mountain range
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Sea otter in Prince William Sound, Alaska, USA
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Pearl among the emeralds
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Union Square, Manhattan, New York, USA
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Antarctica Day
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Dhamek Stupa, Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh
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High above the Aegean Sea
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St. Barbaras Cathedral, Kutná Hora, Czechia
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Pick your paradise
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Prasat Phanom Rung temple ruins, Thailand
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This magical beach is worth the hike