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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Poinsettia or Christmas flower
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Eiffel Tower, Paris, France
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A magical resting place
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Methoni Castle, Messinia, Greece
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Three Natural Bridges, Wulong National Park, China
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Snow glow
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Carnival of Venice
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Grand slam tournament
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Follow the teacher!
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On the open ocean road
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Our forgotten forests
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Edinburgh Festival Fringe
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Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming, United States
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Maasai giraffes in Amboseli National Park, Kenya
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A sea of humanity
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Mam Tor, Derbyshire, England
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International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend
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Glenariff Forest Park, County Antrim, Ireland
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Brighton Festival
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Sentinel of the sea
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Prasat Phanom Rung temple ruins, Thailand
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Villefranche-sur-Mer, Provence-Alpes-Côte dAzur, France
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Logan Creek Suspension Bridge, West Coast Trail, Canada
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Gateway to Iberia
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A one-of-a-kind splash
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World Theatre Day
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The Town of Books
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Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
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West of Windermere
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Tide pools in La Jolla, California, United States
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

