The earliest recorded New Year festivities date back around 4,000 years ago to ancient Babylon. For the Babylonians, the first new moon following the vernal equinox, which is a day in late March where there is an equal amount of sunlight and darkness, was the beginning of a new year. They marked the occasion with a massive religious festival called Akitu, which is derived from the Sumerian word for barley, which was cut in the spring. The festival lasted 11 days and involved a different ritual on each day.
January 1 - The New Year
The early Roman calendar consisted of 10 months and 304 days and the new year began at the vernal equinox, which was in late march. Per tradition, it was created by Romulus, the founder of Rome, in the eighth century. Numa Pompilius, a later king, is credited with adding the months of Januarius and Februarius. However, over the centuries, the calendar fell out of sync with the sun, and in 46 B.C. the emperor Julius Caesar decided to solve the problem by consulting with the most prominent astronomers and mathematicians at the time. The new solution was the Julian calendar, which closely resembles the more modern Gregorian calendar that we use today. As part of this reform, Caesar marked January 1 as the first day of the year to honor the month's namesake Janus, which is the Roman god of beginnings. The Romans celebrated the new year by offering sacrifices to Janus, exchanging gifts with one another, decorating their homes with laurel branches and attending lavish parties.
In medieval Europe, Christian leaders temporarily replaced January 1 as the first of the year with days that carried more religious significance, such as December 25 (the date of Jesus' birth) and March 25 (the Feast of the Annunciation). However, Pope Gregory XIII reestablished January 1 as the beginning of the new year in 1582.
Today, there are many different ways that people celebrate the new year. In many countries, New Year's celebrations begin on the evening of December 31 and continue into the early hours of January 1. It is very common for people to enjoy meals and snacks that are thought to bring good luck in the coming year. In Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries, people enjoy grapes right before midnight, which symbolizes their hopes for the months ahead. In many different parts of the world, traditional New Year's dishes feature legumes that resemble coins, which will bring them financial success. In some cultures, pigs represent progress and prosperity, so it is common for pork to appear on the New Year's menu. Ring-shaped cakes and pastries are often served in the Netherlands, Mexico and Greece as a sign that the year has come full circle. In Sweden and Norway, they will serve rice pudding with an almond hidden inside and whoever find the nut can expect 12 months of good fortune.
Happy New Year From A B Pest Control & Insulation
The team at A B Pest Control & Insulation wants to wish you a safe and happy New Year! We hope this upcoming year is filled with joy, happiness and good health. Please be safe if you plan to go out for New Year’s Eve. If you have any home maintenance improvements on your New Year's resolution list, keep A B Pest Control & Insulation in mind. We can help you with anything from pest control to lawn care maintenance. To schedule an appointment with us, call 573-964-1100.
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