thedrifter
12-30-06, 07:36 AM
U.S. MARINE CORPS FORCES, PACIFIC, CAMP H. M. SMITH, Hawaii (Dec. 29, 2006) -- It’s New Year’s Eve. Ten seconds left until the celebration begins, yet there is no countdown, and no shiny, silver ball waiting to drop in Times Square. Instead, there are thousands of people dancing, singing and sacrificing animals.
Now, 4000 years later, the methods of celebration may have changed, but New Year’s still holds the same meaning. It’s a time for renewal, a fresh start and a clean slate.
The first recorded New Year’s Day celebration was held in the ancient city of Babylon, the ruins of which are found in the Babil province of Iraq, around 2000 B.C. According to many historians, the New Year’s celebration is one of the oldest known holidays.
In Babylon, the celebration happened after the first full moon in spring. For these people, spring was the time of rebirth, which is why it was considered the start of the new year.
Their celebration lasted 11 days. Each day had its own particular theme of celebration, usually pertaining to one or more of their gods.
Centuries later, the Romans changed the calendar and began celebrating New Year’s on the first of March. When the Roman calendar changed again in 153 B.C., the first day of the year became Jan. 1.
Over the next several centuries many more changes would come. At one time, some countries, such as England, Germany and Spain, set Christmas Day as the start of the new year.
Upon the adoption of the Gregorian calendar, the most widely used calendar to date, New Year’s Day was set to Jan. 1.
All countries that use the Gregorian calendar, with the exception of Israel, New Year's Day is a federal holiday. For many of those countries, if Jan. 1 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, then the Friday before or the Monday after will be held as a holiday.
Today, New Year’s is celebrated in almost every country. For some, it is a religious holiday, to others simply a reason to celebrate.
The Chinese start New Year’s on the new moon of the first lunar month, which is the period of time it takes the moon to complete its full cycle. For them New Year’s is one of the most important of the traditional and religious holidays.
In the U.S., there are many New Year’s traditions. From the Waterford Crystal ball that drops in Times Square to the Rose Bowl Parade and game, the traditions are as numerous as the people who celebrate them.
New Year’s here is unique. While all the other people all over the world are settling into the new year, those on the islands will just be getting started. Due to the relatively short distance from the International Dateline, Hawaii is one of the last places in the world to ring in the new year. Each year thousands of people will be line up to watch the enormous fireworks display over the Pacific Ocean.
No matter what the tradition or where it’s celebrated, New Year’s brings a new beginning to many people of many different faiths, cultures and backgrounds.
Ellie
Now, 4000 years later, the methods of celebration may have changed, but New Year’s still holds the same meaning. It’s a time for renewal, a fresh start and a clean slate.
The first recorded New Year’s Day celebration was held in the ancient city of Babylon, the ruins of which are found in the Babil province of Iraq, around 2000 B.C. According to many historians, the New Year’s celebration is one of the oldest known holidays.
In Babylon, the celebration happened after the first full moon in spring. For these people, spring was the time of rebirth, which is why it was considered the start of the new year.
Their celebration lasted 11 days. Each day had its own particular theme of celebration, usually pertaining to one or more of their gods.
Centuries later, the Romans changed the calendar and began celebrating New Year’s on the first of March. When the Roman calendar changed again in 153 B.C., the first day of the year became Jan. 1.
Over the next several centuries many more changes would come. At one time, some countries, such as England, Germany and Spain, set Christmas Day as the start of the new year.
Upon the adoption of the Gregorian calendar, the most widely used calendar to date, New Year’s Day was set to Jan. 1.
All countries that use the Gregorian calendar, with the exception of Israel, New Year's Day is a federal holiday. For many of those countries, if Jan. 1 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, then the Friday before or the Monday after will be held as a holiday.
Today, New Year’s is celebrated in almost every country. For some, it is a religious holiday, to others simply a reason to celebrate.
The Chinese start New Year’s on the new moon of the first lunar month, which is the period of time it takes the moon to complete its full cycle. For them New Year’s is one of the most important of the traditional and religious holidays.
In the U.S., there are many New Year’s traditions. From the Waterford Crystal ball that drops in Times Square to the Rose Bowl Parade and game, the traditions are as numerous as the people who celebrate them.
New Year’s here is unique. While all the other people all over the world are settling into the new year, those on the islands will just be getting started. Due to the relatively short distance from the International Dateline, Hawaii is one of the last places in the world to ring in the new year. Each year thousands of people will be line up to watch the enormous fireworks display over the Pacific Ocean.
No matter what the tradition or where it’s celebrated, New Year’s brings a new beginning to many people of many different faiths, cultures and backgrounds.
Ellie