Jan 01, 2025 12:39 AM IST
As always, the world is ushering in the New Year with grand celebrations.
Several countries around the world have already entered 2025, while in other nations, January 1, the first day of the year, will begin the moment the clock strikes midnight under the local time zone.
But why does the New Year begin on January 1?
Britannica states that during his reign (c. 715-673 BCE), Roman emperor Numa Pompilius revised the Roman republican calendar to make January the year’s first month instead of March. While January got its name from Janus, the Roman god of all beginnings, March was named after Mars, the god of war.
Some sources also credit Numa with the creation of January, as per the website.
In 46 BCE, Julius Caesar, Rome’s then king, made further changes to the calendar, but retained January 1 as the first day of the year. As the Roman empire expanded, so did the calendar, which also became known as the Julian calendar. However, after Rome fell in the 5th century CE, several Christian countries modified the calendar to make it more reflective of their religion, leading to March 25 (the Feast of the Annunciation) and December 25 (Christmas) becoming common New Year’s Days.
Then, in 1582, Pope Gregory XIII brought a revised calendar. This was because the Julian one required additional changes due to a miscalculation in leap years, an error which resulted in various events occurring in the wrong season.
The Gregorian calendar, which restored January 1 as the New Year’s Day, was immediately adopted by Italy, France, Spain and a few other nations. Great Britain and its American colonies did not follow the Gregorian calendar until 1753; there, March 25 was the New Year’s Day.
Over time, non-Christian states also began following the Gregorian calendar.
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Welcome, 2025: Here’s why January 1 is celebrated as New Year’s Day
As we embark on a new year, it’s important to reflect on why January 1 is celebrated as New Year’s Day around the world. While the exact origins of this tradition are not entirely clear, there are several theories that shed light on this global phenomenon.
One theory suggests that the celebration of New Year’s Day on January 1 dates back to ancient Rome, where the month of January was named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and transitions. Janus was depicted as having two faces, one looking back at the past year and the other looking forward to the new year, symbolizing the transition from one year to the next.
Another theory points to the Gregorian calendar, which was introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. This calendar system standardized the beginning of the new year on January 1, aligning with the winter solstice and the start of the new year in many cultures.
Regardless of the origins, the celebration of New Year’s Day on January 1 has become a time-honored tradition that marks a fresh start, new beginnings, and the opportunity to set goals and resolutions for the year ahead. It is a time for reflection, gratitude, and hope for the future.
So as we welcome 2025, let us embrace the spirit of New Year’s Day and look forward to the possibilities and opportunities that lie ahead. Happy New Year to all!
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