New Year 2024: So this is why January 1 is celebrated as New Year, the story behind it is interesting

2024 is just a few days away. On January 1, the world will say goodbye to 2023 and welcome the new year 2024 in the hope of a bright and prosperous tomorrow. Many countries around the world celebrate January 1 as New Year. On the evening of New Year’s Eve i.e. 31st December, people celebrate this joyous occasion with their friends and families with get-togethers, parties and much more. The beginning of a new year symbolizes happiness, new energy and hope for a better future.

Why is January 1 celebrated as New Year?

For the first time in 45 BC, January 1 was considered the beginning of the new year. Before this, the Roman calendar started in March and had 355 days. It was Roman dictator Julius Caesar who reformed the calendar after coming to power. They established January 1 as the first day of the year, partly to honor the month’s namesake: Janus, the Roman god of beginnings, whose two faces allowed him to look back into the past and forward into the future. .

Large part of Europe did not accept

However, much of Europe did not accept it until the middle of the 16th century. With the advent of Christianity, January 1 began to be viewed as pagan as the beginning of the New Year and December 25 became acceptable as the day of Jesus’ birth. It only gradually became acceptable after Pope Gregory reformed the Julian calendar and standardized January 1 as the first day of the New Year.

New Year started 4,000 years ago

Moreover, it is believed that the new year originated in ancient Babylon around 4,000 years ago, in 2,000 BC. The Babylonians celebrated the New Year with an 11-day festival called Akitu, which included a different rite each day at the first new moon after the spring equinox (usually around the end of March).

Importance and traditions

New Year celebrations in many countries begin on December 31, known as New Year’s Eve, and last until the early hours of January 1. Traditions like watching fireworks and singing songs on New Year’s Eve evening are prevalent all over the world. The start of a new year is an excellent time to make positive changes, which is why many people make New Year’s resolutions for the year ahead.