Happy New Year"s Day! Humans have celebrated the new year since at least 2000 BCE, but various cultures have chosen different days coinciding with equinoxes or lunar cycles. The Romans established January 1 as the beginning of the year in 153 BCE, but this fell out of favour throughout Europe during the medieval era. Since 1582 and the widespread adoption of the Gregorian calendar, however, much of the world now celebrates the new year today. In addition to watching fireworks, drinking champagne and making resolutions in the wee hours of the morning, other global traditions include making noise, eating lucky foods and giving gifts.
Happy New Year!
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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Green sea turtle
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Wallabies at sunrise, Australia
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Edinburgh Castle, Scotland, United Kingdom
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Postcard from Italy
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Big rocks, big heads, still counting?
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Mam Tor, Derbyshire, England
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Say hello to these halophytes!
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Glenariff Forest Park, County Antrim, Ireland
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Happy Diwali!
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International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend
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International Day for Biological Diversity
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Paddle power
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What are these unique creatures?
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Cypress trees in George L. Smith State Park, Georgia, United States
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Kelimutu, Flores, Indonesia
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Happy Valentines Day!
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Angry bird, doting dad
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Lupine fields, Snæfellsnes, Iceland
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Endangered Species Day
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Eyes on the skies
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Superbloom in Carrizo Plain National Monument, California, United States
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Coral Reef Awareness Week
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Where is this majestic museum?
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The 50th Toronto International Film Festival
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Big Bend National Park, Texas, USA
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Thanksgiving Day
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International Day of Peace
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Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland
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Let’s have a lek, see?
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A snapshot of Spring
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

