New Year's Day

New Year's Day, the first day of the calendar year, is celebrated by people in almost every country as a holiday.

The early Egyptians celebrated the New Year when Sothis, the Dog Star, appeared in daylight about the same time the Nile began to overflow its banks. The ancient Mesopotamians held their New Year festival at the time of the spring rains. The ancient Romans gave each other New Year's gifts of branches from sacred trees. The Romans also brought gifts to the emperor. The ancient Persians gave New Year's gifts of eggs, which symbolized productiveness. The Celtic priests of what is now England gave the people branches of mistletoe, which was considered sacred. The Celts took over many New Year's customs from the Romans, who invaded Britain in A.D. 43.

In modern times, New Year's Day includes visiting friends and relatives, giving gifts, attending religious services and merrymaking. The Chinese celebrate New Year's Day with parades, fireworks and gaiety. They decorate their homes and give each other presents. In Europe and North America, people celebrate by holding family parties, giving presents and visiting friends. On the stroke of midnight, people in Britain join hands to form a circle and sing the song Auld Lang Syne (Long Ago). Children in Belgium write their parents messages on decorated paper and read them out to their families on New Year's Day. In many Japanese homes, the day is celebrated with ceremonial house-cleaning, feasting and exchanging visits and gifts. Large numbers of people go to New Year's Eve parties. At midnight, bells ring, fireworks are let off and everyone shouts, "Happy New Year!"

During the Middle Ages, most European countries used March 25th, a Christian holiday called Annunciation Day, to start the year. By 1600, many Western nations had adopted a revised calendar called the Gregorian calendar. This calendar, which is the one used today, restored January 1st as New Year's Day. Many people celebrate the New Year on dates established by their religion. For example, the Jewish New Year, a solemn occasion called Rosh Ha-Shanah, is observed during September or early October.

Whatever way you celebrate, New Year's Day is a day of festivity and gaiety for everyone.

Here's wishing you all a Happy New Year.