History Behind New Year, New Year History

New Year Celebrations

History Behind New Year

New year was first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years back. In 2000 BC, the Babylonian New Year began with the first New Moon after the Vernal Equinox or the first day of spring. The beginning of spring is the best time for starting a new year as in this season new crops are planted. January 1, on the other hand, has no astronomical nor agricultural significance. It is purely arbitrary.
The Babylonian new year celebration lasts for eleven days. Each day had its own significance. The Romans continued to observe the new year in late March, but due to oppresion under various emperors their calendar was deviated from the sun. In order to set the calendar right, the Roman senate, in 153 BC, declared January 1 to be the beginning of the new year. But in order to synchronize the calendar with the sun, Caesar had dragged the previous year for 445 days.

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