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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Ardez village, Graubunden, Switzerland
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Keukenhof Gardens, Lisse, Netherlands
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European fallow deer in England
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Pearl among the emeralds
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The natural ice wall of Misotsuchi, Chichibu, Japan
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A street filled with sakura trees
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Where fire and water meet
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Eyes on the skies
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Minnesota State Capitol, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
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Hay bales in North Yorkshire, England
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Grizzly bears at Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska, United States
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Autumn equinox
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A young bull moose, Denali National Park, Alaska, United States
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Saint Andrews Day
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Daylight Saving Time
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Glenariff Forest Park, Northern Ireland, UK
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World Wildlife Day
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Happy World Water Day!
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Ancient til trees in Fanal Forest, Madeira, Portugal
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A scented sea of purple
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Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve
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Vatican City, Rome, Italy
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Porto Flavia, Sulcis-Iglesiente, Sardinia, Italy
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Town of Pienza in Tuscany, Italy
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Brown-throated three-toed sloth
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Red fox, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, United States
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Gdańsk on the banks of the Motława river, Poland
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Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States
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Squirrel Appreciation Day
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World Jellyfish Day
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

