Held on : 1st January

New Year's Day is the first day of the year. New Year day is all about heading towards a fresh start of another year; leaving the present year behind. This is a special day for people world over. People celebrate the onset of New Year on the eve of 31st of December. The countdown to New Year begins and the ecstasy reaches its peak at 24.00 hours (1st Jan). People scream in joy, fireworks are held, people congratulate each other in various ways - some make personal visits, some SMS New Year's wishes, while some throw parties while others congratulate each other on phone. Youth come out on roads in their vehicles and announce the arrival of New Year in a cheerful manner. People also celebrate this days in discotheques, clubs, malls etc.where arrangements for this occasion are specially made. Television covers this occasion and telecast this event, live from various parts of the world. It is also customary to make New Year's resolutions, which individuals hope to fulfil in the coming year. The most popular resolutions in the Western world include to quit tobacco smoking, stop excessive drinking of alcohol, lose weight, get physically fit, and save money.

New Year's Day History

New Year’s Day marks the start of a new year according to the Gregorian calendar. It is a relatively modern practice. Although Romans began marking the start of their civil year on January 1 in their calendar (prior to the Gregorian calendar), the traditional springtime opening of the growing season and time for major military campaigns still held on as the popular New Year celebration. Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar in 1582. It was adopted immediately in some areas of Europe but it was not used in various countries until even centuries later. For example, the United Kingdom and the United States started observing the Gregorian calendar in 1752, in which 11 days were dropped. However not all cultures follow the Gregorian calendar in observing New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. For example the New Year in the Hindu, Chinese, Coptic, Jewish, Islamic calendars differ to that of the Gregorian calendar.

New Year's Day Events

On the New Year day, people across the globe celebrate the coming time with great fun and enjoyment. Mouth-watering dishes, music, dance, parties, games and much more are held on this day. Everywhere there is an atmosphere filled with excitement. People send new year wishes, exchange gifts, visit the houses of near ones, throw parties, meet friends and relatives, visit far off places.

Popular Events:

• On New Year's Day, people in certain countries gather on beaches and run into the water to celebrate the new year. Canada, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States are the most popular countries for this. These events are sometimes known as polar bear plunges, and are sometimes organized by groups to raise money for charity.

• In New York City, the 5,386-kg, 12-foot-diameter Times Square Ball located high above Times Square is lowered starting at 11:59:00 p.m., or the last minute of the year, and reaches the bottom of its tower at the stroke of midnight  with fireworks, flashing lights and extensive media coverage. This celebration attracts around 1 million people every year.

• The New Year's Day Parade is held in London. Performers include acts from each of the city's 32 boroughs, as well as entertainment from around the world.

• In Korea, people celebrate New Year's Day by playing a korean game called Yutnoli together with their families.

• In Sydney, Australia, the world's largest fireworks are displayed which attracts about 1 to 1.5 million people to the harbour.

• In London, thousands gather along the Embankment  on the River Thames to watch the fireworks around the London Eye.

• In Greece, families and relatives switch off the lights at midnight, then celebrate by cutting the 'Vassilopita' (Basil's pie) which usually contains one coin or equivalent, whoever wins expects luck for the whole year. After the pie, a traditional game of cards called 'Triantaena' follows, similar to black jack.

Holiday Status - New Year’s Eve is a public holiday in many places around the world including in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. Schools, post offices and government offices are closed, as are most businesses, in countries where New Year’s Day is a public holiday.