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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Oktoberfest, Germany
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More of a moustache than a beard?
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Wind River, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, USA
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Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Behold the architectural marvel
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St Barbaras Cathedral, Kutná Hora, Czechia
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Martimoaapa Mire Reserve, Finland
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European hedgehog, France
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Happy Halloween!
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Castle Day Japan
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Starling murmuration over the ruins of Brightons West Pier, England
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Pont Alexandre III, Paris, France
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World Teachers Day
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Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia
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Macaroni penguins
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African buffalo, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
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Guanacos, Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
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Step back in time...
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Minnesota State Capitol, St Paul, Minnesota, United States
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Lake Superior, Grand Marais, Minnesota, United States
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Kings Mountain, Chugach Mountains, Alaska, United States
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The Nutcracker performed by the Turkish State Opera and Ballet in Ankara
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Moon Day
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Spiralling upward...
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Nighttime view over the Gulf Coast
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Happy Hogmanay!
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This bird is peak beak
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Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
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Red deer, Canada
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Leap Day
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

