The beginning of the new year has been welcomed on different
dates throughout history. Great Britain and its colonies in
America adopted the Gregorian calender in 1752, in which January
1st was restored as New Year's Day. Ways of celebrating differ
as well, according to customs and religions of the world. People
in Moslem societies, for example, celebrate the new year by wearing
new clothes. Southeast Asians release birds and turtles to assure
themselves good luck in the twelve months ahead. Jewish people
consider the day holy, and hold a religious ceremony at a meal
with special foods. Hindus of India leave shrines next to their
beds, so they can see beautiful objects at the start of the new
year. Japanese prepare rice cakes at a social event the week
before the new year.
Whatever the custom, most of people feel the same sentiment.
With a new year, we can expect a new life. We wish each other
good luck and promise ourselves to do better in the following
year.
New Year's Eve (December 31)
In the United States, the federal holiday is January first, but
Americans begin celebrating on December 31. Sometimes people have
masquerade balls, where guests dress up in costumes and cover
their faces with masks. According to an old tradition, guests
unmask at midnight.
At New Year's Eve parties across the United States on December
31, many guests watch television as part of the festivities. Most
of the television channels show Times Square in the heart of New
York City. At one minute before midnight, a lighted ball drops
slowly from the top to the bottom of a pole on one of the
buildings. People count down at the same time as the ball drops.
When it reaches the bottom, the new year sign is lighted. People
hug and kiss, and wish each other "Happy New Year!"
New Year's Day
On January first, Americans visit friends, relatives and
neighbors. There is plenty to eat and drink when you just drop in
to wish your loved ones and friends the best for the year ahead.
Many families and friends watch television together enjoying the
Tournament of Roses parade preceding the Rose Bowl football game
in Pasadena California. The parade was started in 1887, when a
zoologist who had seen one in France suggested to the Valley Hunt
Club in Pasadena, California that they sponsor "an artistic
celebration of the ripening of the oranges" at the beginning
of the year. At first the parade was a line of decorated
horse-drawn private carriages. Athletic events were held in the
afternoon, and in the evening, a ball where winners of the events
of the day and the most beautiful float were announced. In later
years colleges began to compete in football games on New Year's
Day, and these gradually replaced other athletic competitions.
The parade of floats grew longer from year to year, and flower
decorations grew more elaborate.
The theme of the Tournament of Roses varies from year to year.
Today the parade is usually more than five miles long with
thousands of participants in the marching bands and on the
floats. City officials ride in the cars pulling the floats. A
celebrity is chosen to be the grand marshal, or official master
of ceremonies. The queen of the tournament rides on a special
float which is always the most elaborate one of the parade, being
made from more than 250,000 flowers. Spectators and participants
alike enjoy the pageantry associated with the occasion.
Preparation for next year's Tournament of Roses begins on January
2.
In the warmer regions all around the country there are other
games whose names are characteristic of the state. People watch
the Orange Bowl game in Florida, the Cotton Bowl in Texas, and
the Sugar Bowl in Louisiana. In most cultures, people promise to
better themselves in the following year. Americans have inherited
the tradition and even write down their New Year's resolutions.
Whatever the resolution, most of them are broken or forgotten by
February!