New Year's Day is a holiday that marks the first day of the year. In the US, Canada, and Mexico it is one of the most widely observed holidays. Around the world, countries which have adopted the Gregorian calendar celebrate January 1st as the New Year.

In the US and Canada, New Year's festivities usually begin the night before on New Year's Eve. Some attend a traditional New Year's Eve party. These parties are usually formal affairs. Restaurants and nightclubs which host New Year's parties fill-up quickly. Reservations are needed weeks, even months, in advance. Champagne is the traditional drink on New Year's Eve. The most well known New Year's Eve Celebration is held in Times Square in New York City. At exactly midnight, a large gold ball descends upon the square, everyone yells, "Happy New Year", and the band plays the traditional New Year's Eve song, Auld Lang Syne. In many cities there will be fireworks displays starting at midnight.

Others (especially those with small children) will stay home for a more intimate affair with family and close friends. In many families, New Year's Eve is the one night a year small children are allowed to stay up past midnight, so they can celebrate the arrival of the New Year. Often the television set will be tuned to a program broadcasting the festivities in Times Square. At midnight, everyone will go outside, bang pots together to make noise, and yell, "Happy New Year!" In some rural areas, the noisemaking at midnight may include setting off firecrackers, and the firing of guns into the air.

On New Year's Day, most Americans do not work. They will visit friends or family, and have a large holiday dinner. Watching parades (in person or on TV) is one popular New Year's Day activity. Some of the better known parades include the Mummer's Parade in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. Watching football is also very popular on New Year's Day. The Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Cotton Bowl, and Orange Bowl are all played on New Year's Day.

In Mexico, New Year's Eve is a time for parties, and fireworks. Many businesses will close early on New Year's Eve, allowing workers to go home and celebrate the holiday with their families. New Year's Day is a time for Fiestas. Some communities will host a parade.

The ancient Romans associated New Year's Day with the god Janus. The month January is named after her, and the New Year's Day was the first day of the Month of Janus (January 1). Coins picturing Janus were given as gifts. Janus was depicted with 2 faces, one looking forward, and one looking back.

During the Middle Ages, most Christian nations in Europe observed New Year's Day on March 25th, Annunciation Day. They did this to break away from the pagan Roman New Year's tradition. Later it was moved to April 1, so its celebration would not overlap with any church holidays.

In the 16th century, many nations of Europe and their colonies adopted the Gregorian calendar, which placed New Year's Day back on January 1st. In 1752, England, along with its American colonies, adopted the Gregorian calendar. Since then January 1st has been the standard for New Year's Day in all of North America.

Note: This holiday is one of Calendar Mine's over 500 built-in observances.

See Also

Holiday Catalogue

American (USA) Observances