New Year's Day
New Year's Day, observed every January 1st, marks the first day of the modern Gregorian calendar year and is one of the oldest and most widely celebrated holidays in the world. Its roots trace back to ancient Babylon, where the new year was tied to the spring equinox, and later to the Roman calendar, when Julius Caesar established January 1st as the start of the year in 46 BCE in honor of Janus, the two-faced god of beginnings and transitions. The date became fixed in most of the Western world after the Gregorian calendar reform of 1582. In the United States, New Year's Day has been a federal holiday since 1870, giving workers a day of rest after the New Year's Eve festivities the night before. Celebrations typically include watching televised countdowns and fireworks, making resolutions for self-improvement, gathering with family for a meal, and in many U.S. households, eating foods believed to bring good luck, such as black-eyed peas, greens, and pork. Parades, including the Rose Parade in Pasadena, and college football bowl games are also American New Year's Day traditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is New Year's Day?
New Year's Day is always celebrated on January 1st, the first day of the Gregorian calendar year, and is a federal holiday in the United States.
Why is New Year's Day on January 1st?
Julius Caesar set January 1st as the start of the year in 46 BCE to honor Janus, the Roman god of beginnings, and the date stuck through the Gregorian calendar reform of 1582.
How do people celebrate New Year's Day?
Common traditions include watching the ball drop or fireworks, making New Year's resolutions, sharing a family meal, and in the U.S., eating lucky foods like black-eyed peas and greens.
Is New Year's Day a federal holiday in the U.S.?
Yes. New Year's Day has been an official federal holiday in the United States since 1870, meaning most government offices, banks, and many businesses are closed.
What foods are traditionally eaten on New Year's Day?
In the American South, black-eyed peas, collard greens, and pork are traditional for good luck and prosperity; other regions favor foods like lentils or round-shaped treats.
What Else Happened on Fri, Jan 1, 2027?
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