New Year’s Day

New Year is the time when a new calendar year begins. It is celebrated like a festival all over the world with great excitement, pomp and show. In many countries this day is marked as a national holiday. As per the Gregorian calendar, this day falls on January 1. Even as per the Roman and the Julian calendar, the New Year begins on January 1.

Various types of calendars are used historically in different parts of the world. Some of these calendars count years numerically, while others do not. In the ancient times, in the Western Europe, there was no fixed date for celebration of the New Year’s Day. The day used to shift depending upon various factors to one of the following days: March 1, March 25, Easter, September 1, and December 25. This practice was prevalent in those times when the Julian calendar was still in use.  It was only in the year 1582, when the Gregorian calendar was adopted and one consistent date was chosen to mark the beginning of the New Year. This date was January 1. Slowly and steadily, the practice of celebrating New Year was adopted by countries all over the world except a few. Some of the countries that celebrate the New Year on other days are: Israel, China, and India. New Year’s Day celebrations vary widely across different cultures and segments of the society. In few countries, there is a tradition of giving gifts to children on this day. In Japan, this day is observed as a holiday. This is a where everyone celebrates his or her birthday. In Scotland the practice is different. This day is a holiday and is known as Hogmanay, which is accompanied by the custom of visiting friends and relatives after midnight on New Year’s Eve. Christian people visit Church on this day. People spend their day going to the movies, staying in, visiting relatives or watching or playing sport etc. Feasting on traditional New Year’s food is also a widespread practice but dishes vary from one culture to another. New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are symbolized in numerous ways all around the world. Midnight between New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day is usually marked by fireworks and fire crackers. People party hard, drink and toast with champagne or other sparkling wine. There are various parties, concerts, brunches organized on this day. Each year this day brings with itself a bag full of opportunities and hope. It’s a new year to start afresh with new goals and high spirits.

A very happy new year, 2019 to all!

By: Anuja Arora

Content: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Year