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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A vibrant, sun-drenched island
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Start Point Lighthouse, South Devon, England
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World Space Week begins
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Dunquin Pier, County Kerry, Ireland
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What are these beautiful sandy waves?
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Sundance Film Festival
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Shark Fin Cove, California, USA
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Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
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Mangrove islands near Kundapura, Karnataka
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Spring is coming
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What are these ancient animals?
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Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, Venice, Italy
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The butterfly effect
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A temple to treasure
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Happy Birthday, J.R.R. Tolkien!
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Moeraki Boulders, South Island, New Zealand
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Jurassic Coast, Dorset, United Kingdom
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Martimoaapa Mire Reserve, Finland
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Happy International Astronomy Day!
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Kinder Scout, Peak District National Park, UK
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The Painted Hills, Oregon
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Plum blossoms, China
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Singing the blues
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Guru Nanak Gurpurab
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Lupine fields, Snæfellsnes, Iceland
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Chilling out on an ice floe
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The rainbow bridge
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Waitangi Day in New Zealand
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A true symbol of heritage and royalty
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This lake is no mirage
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