Which country has the first New Year? This question has intrigued many people throughout history, as the celebration of the New Year varies across different cultures and regions. While many countries around the world mark the New Year on January 1st, the origin of this practice dates back to ancient civilizations that had their own ways of celebrating the start of a new year.
The first recorded celebration of the New Year can be traced back to ancient Babylon, which is now present-day Iraq. According to historical records, the Babylonians began their New Year in March, around the time of the vernal equinox. This date marked the beginning of their agricultural year and was a time for making New Year resolutions and offering prayers to the gods for a prosperous year ahead.
Ancient Egyptians also celebrated the New Year, but their New Year’s Day fell on the day the Nile River began to flood, which was typically around July. This flooding was essential for the fertility of their land, and the Egyptians saw it as a time of rebirth and renewal.
In ancient Greece, the New Year was celebrated on the first day of the month of Hekatombaion, which occurred around July 1st. This date was chosen to coincide with the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, symbolizing the peak of the sun’s power and the beginning of the agricultural season.
The Romans also had their own New Year celebration, which was initially held on March 1st. However, during the reign of Julius Caesar, the Roman calendar was reformed, and the New Year was moved to January 1st. This new calendar, known as the Julian calendar, was introduced in 45 BCE and was used until the Gregorian calendar was adopted in 1582.
As Christianity spread throughout Europe, the celebration of the New Year became more closely associated with the birth of Jesus Christ. The Feast of the Nativity, which celebrates the birth of Jesus, was traditionally observed on December 25th. However, the New Year was still celebrated on January 1st, as per the Julian calendar.
Today, most countries around the world celebrate the New Year on January 1st, following the Gregorian calendar. While the exact origin of the New Year celebration may be traced back to ancient Babylon, the practice has evolved over time and is now a global event that brings people together to reflect on the past and look forward to the future.
