NEW YEAR

DATE: January 1st

The celebration of the New Year is the oldest of all holidays. It was first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago.

The beginning of spring is a logical time to start a new year. After all, it is the season of rebirth, of planting new crops, and of blossoming.

January 1, on the other hand, has no astronomical nor agricultural significance. It is purely arbitrary.

In order to set the calendar right, the Roman senate, in 153 BC, declared January 1 to be the beginning of the New Year.

Traditionally, it was thought that one could affect the luck they would have throughout the coming year by what they did or ate on the first day of the year. For that reason, it has become common for folks to celebrate the first few minutes of a brand new year in the company of family and friends.

Traditional New Year foods are also thought to bring luck. Many cultures believe that anything in the shape of a ring is good luck, because it symbolizes "coming full circle," completing a year's cycle.

For that reason, the Dutch believe that eating donuts on New Year's Day will bring good fortune.

The old year, for better or worse, is gone for good. The New Year has begun with fresh promise. Here's our chance to start again, to do it right this time, to have another shot at success... at glory... at just accomplishing what we resolve to. Happy New Year!

The song, "Auld Lang Syne," playing in the background, is sung at the stroke of midnight in almost every English-speaking country in the world to bring in the New Year.