When was

the first year and when was the first new year?

The world

may never know the exact answer to the question. Few

people were avid journal keepers near the dawn of

civilization. The tradition of New Year's Eve has been

traced back to the Babylonians approximately 4,000 years

ago. Their celebration occurred in March and lasted 11

days. Their festivities celebrated another year of new

crops and new harvesting.

The Romans

also used this date to celebrate the new year, until

approximately 100 B.C. Many emperors began to tamper with

the calendar and the new date of the new year was Jan. 1,

which has no astrological or agricultural significance.

In 46 B.C. Julius Caesar made it official and extended a

year by 80 days to synchronize the calendar with the sun.

In the

first centuries of A.D., the Christian church said that

the festivities were pagan, but soon the church began to

run its religious festivities concurrently. Church

leaders eventually adopted many of the same traditions.

For example, the baby as the symbol for the new year

originated in Greece in 600 B.C. The church originally

spoke out against this practice until it began using the

baby to symbolize the birth of Christ. This practice was

brought over to the United States from Germany, which

started using the symbol in the 14th century.

Western

nations have been celebrating the New Year for only about

400 years. Around the start of the 18th century, many

English speaking nations began singing a song that

literally meant "old long ago" or "good

old days." In 1796, Robert Burns penned full lyrics

to the song, "Auld Lang Syne," launching a

tradition that still holds true today.

Other

traditions that remain are the Tournament of Roses

parade, which started in 1886. Members of the Valley Hunt

Club in California decorated their carriages with flowers

to signify the ripening of the oranges. The first Rose

Bowl football game was played in 1902, only to be

replaced the next year by Roman Chariot races. The

football game returned in 1916.

Many of the

other practices that take place on New Year's Eve and New

Year's Day have existed for a long time. The practice of

making New Year's resolutions dates back to ancient

Babylonia.

Another

belief that has been held for many years is the belief

that the first visitor of the year will either bring good

luck for the year or bad luck for the year.

Many

cultures also believe in the eating of traditional foods.

Some feel that food in the shape of rings means that you

have come full circle; others eat black eyed peas and ham

hocks for good luck.

It's good

to know that so many people have kept these traditions

alive for thousands of New Year's eves and days. Maybe

there isn't too much to worry about after all.

Happy New

Year!

<!--##############