New Year

Cultures that measure yearly calendars all have New Year celebrations.

The most common modern celebrations are:

January 1 : Western cultures that start a year with January.

in the United States, cultural images include an old [Father Time]? with a sash proclaiming the old year leaving as an infant with a sash proclaiming the new year enters.

in New York City, New York there is a large ball which is lowered at the stroke of midnight.

in [Atlanta, Georgia]? there is a large peach which is lowered at the stroke of midnight.

Rosh Hashannah (Hebrew for 'head of the year') is a celebration that is 163 days before Pesach (Passover). see Hebrew Calendar. In the Gregorian Calendar at present, Rosh Hashannah cannot occur before September 5, when it occurred in 1899 and will occur again in 2013. After the year 2089, the differences between the Hebrew Calendar and the Gregorian Calendar will force Rosh Hashannah to not be earlier than September 6. Rosh Hashannah cannot occur later than October 5, when it occured in 1967 and will again occur in 2043.

In many European countries March 1 or dates thereabouts were historically considered to be the beginning of the year. The names of some months reflect this: September (Seventh), October (Eighth), November (Ninth), December (Tenth). This was originally a Roman habit; but was also encouraged by Christianity, since January 1 was associated with pagan festivals.

The Chinese New Year, is generally celebrated with fire-crackers, and in some localities with a parade.