January 1st ~ New Years Day

January 1st ~ New Years Day

As everyone knows, January 1st is New Year's day and is celebrated and observed by having parties, fireworks, and of course, kissing your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife, etc and other interesting ways to get involved! Let's dive a little deeper!

Some History

For centuries, different cultures and countries have celebrated this day differently, and also on different days. For example, China would celebrate it on the second new moon after the Winter solstice.  Later on, Julius Caesar made a decision to let the official date of New Year's Day fall on the first of January. And an explanation for this was simply because of the history behind "January". January itself was named after the God Janus, which means, new beginnings. Many centuries later, there was a discussion, once again, on what date New Year's should take place. The Council of Tours wanted it to be on December 25th. But, that didn't stay that way for very long. Later on, the discussion came up again and the official and final, permanent, date for this holiday would officially be on January 1st, just like Ceaser had it before he died.

Celebrated Activities Worldwide

Even though some countries may celebrate this day differently, most of them celebrate it all the time. For example, beginning the celebrations on New Year's Eve, continuing it into midnight as they countdown to New Year's Day. In the US, usually, in New York City, a ball is being dropped. A ball that is currently 12 feet in diameter, and weighs about 12,000 pounds (it used to weigh 700 pounds).

Another way that many countries celebrate this holiday, is through fireworks displays in the night sky right after midnight hits. Along with this, many countries and cultures like to have a specific New Year's feast, which is usually symbolized to bring good luck. Some countries, or parts of a country, will eat something specific due to a tradition, for example, in the Southern part of the US, black-eyed peas are usually eaten to celebrate this holiday. In Spain, they eat 12 grapes by the time midnight of New Year's Day, comes around. Italy eats legumes, which are said to be considered lucky.

New Year's Day is also a time most people will make new years resolutions for them to attempt to follow throughout the year. These resolutions are usually goals that people make. For example, quitting smoking, eating healthier, losing weight, organizing or cleaning better, building healthier habits, etc.

Parades are also held in some parts of the world which are also televised for everyone to watch! And of course, most people are recovering from bad hangovers from the night before when they were partying with friends and loved ones.

Now, where is this holiday celebrated exactly? Many, many, many countries celebrate it, but in their own way, and, depending on their calendar, they may celebrate it on a different day.

Summary

Celebrating activities: Fireworks, feasts, parties, kissing, parades (in person or televised), staying up late (till midnight or after), resolutions

Countries Celebrating:

Albania, American Samoa, Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo Democratic Republic, Cook islands, Costa Rica, Croatia, Curacao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, El salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Falkland Islands, Finland, France, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Guatemala, Guernsey, Guyana, Holy See (Vatican City), Honduras, Hong kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jersey, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Montserrat, Morocco, Nauru, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Northern Mariana Islands, Norway, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Sint Maarten, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, St. barts, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, The Bahamas, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Wallis and Futuna



Subject to edits by the instructors