Repeating History

by Liv Stecker

 

As much as the New Year heralds a fresh start and the setting aside of old habits, it also brings with it thousands of years of tradition that will be carried on into the future. While people are busily making their resolutions to improve health and happiness in the coming year, they are following the examples of many who have gone before, since human culture began to recognize the cyclic nature of the sun and moon and stars, and linear time was observed. Ringing in the new year with festivities and symbolic traditions is one of the oldest celebrations documented in human history. 

45 years before the coming of Christ, New Year’s day was celebrated for the first time on January first with the advent of the Julian Calendar in Rome. Before this, the new year was celebrated on the vernal equinox in March, when the amount of daylight and dark was equal in a 24 hour day. Julius Caesar named the first month of the year January after the Roman god of beginnings who possessed two faces to allow him to see into both the past and the future. In 1582, Pope Gregory XII reestablished January 1st as the official New Year of the Christian world. 

Around the world, New Year celebrations center around traditions that are rich with symbolism - foods that represent luck in the coming year such as grapes and legumes (beans) that symbolize coins of prosperity in many cultures. Ring-shaped cakes and pastries are consumed as tokens of the complete circle of a year in several countries, and pork is served in cultures where the pig is heralded as a representation of progress and prosperity.  

In most eastern cultures, the Lunar New Year is celebrated later in January or February at the beginning of the Chinese year, which varies from year to year. Years aren’t counted consecutively in Chinese culture, but on a cycle, with 2016 beginning on February 8th as the Year of the Monkey. Celebrations last two weeks and are rich with family reunions, feasts and household cleansing to remove bad fortune and make way for good luck. 

The most iconic New Year tradition in Western Civilization is the act of resolving self improvement with the start of a new year. New Year’s resolutions can be traced back to the days of ancient Babylonians, who pledged to return borrowed objects and pay debts at the beginning of the year. Early Romans made commitments to their various gods on the New Year, and medieval european knights took a “peacock vow” on January first, reaffirming their commitment to chivalry. Closely related traditions from other cultures include the Jewish new year, Rosh Hashanah, which culminates on Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, which is set aside for self reflection, repentance and forgiveness. This is mirrored in the Christian custom of Lent which is observed in sacrifice, and is one of the origins behind New Year’s resolutions that call for the giving up of unhealthy behaviors and habits. 

Heralding the beginning of a New Year is one of the most important traditions in human culture, across continents and civilizations.  In addition to centuries of customs and celebration, several monumental events have happened on January 1st in United States history. Here are some of the highlights:

1735 - American Patriot Paul Revere was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Best known for his ride on the night of April 18, 1775, warning Americans of British plans to raid Lexington and Concord.

1752 - Betsy Ross was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was a seamstress credited with helping to originate and sew the Stars and Stripes flag of America in 1776.

1776 - During the American Revolution, George Washington unveiled the Grand Union Flag, the first national flag in America.

1863 - The Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves in the states rebelling against the Union.

1892 - Ellis Island in New York Harbor opened. Over 20 million new arrivals to America were processed until its closing in 1954.

1908 - The ball was first dropped at Times Square in New York City.

1942 - Twenty six countries signed the Declaration of the United Nations, in Washington, D.C., reaffirming their opposition to the Axis powers and confirming that no single nation would make a separate peace.