Toast to the New Years

New Year's Eve. December 31. Out with the old. In with the new. Pretty simple concept, but why and how did it join our list of holidays we love to celebrate?

If you are among the rebel rouser's who love to hoot and holler way past midnight, you have the Romans to thank. Some historians believe ancient Romans observed a pagan holiday called Saturnalia that was observed around the same time as the Winter Solstice in December. It was a time to party and forget self discipline or proper behavior the people lived by the rest of the year. In other words, a chance to let down their hair and loosen the togas.

Sometime during the 18^th century, New Year's Eve celebrations often ended with vandalism or violence. To try and reign in these out of control rebel rouser's and create a quieter celebration, many cities started a tradition called "The First Night". Loud and annoying celebrations were replaced with cultural and entertainment events. Food and non-alcoholic drinks were served outside in a more restrained atmosphere.

Again, we go back to ancient times for our tradition of using noise makers and shouting well into the night to welcome in the new year. Noise was believed to chase away evil spirits.

New Year's Eve and singing Auld Lang Syne can be traced back to 18^th century British Isles. The lyrics come from Scottish folk poet, Robert Burns who wrote his poem in 1788. The message Poet Burns was trying to convey in his poem was simple. Forget about the past and look with hope toward the new year.

New Year's Day appears to be our oldest of holidays. Ancient Babylon first observed the new year around 4000 years ago. The Babylonian New Year began with the first New Moon after the Vernal Equinox which is the first day of spring. If there was no New Moon, they were happy with the first visible crescent of the moon. Their celebration went on for eleven days. Today, we pack eleven days into one grand night of partying. For those who like to celebrate with spirits; that's only one headache to nurse in the morning. Imagine ten more in consecutive days. Gives new meaning to worshiping the porcelain god.

The Romans tried to continue the new year tradition, but different emperors continually played with the Roman calendar until it became out of sync with the sun. In 153 BC, the Roman senate pronounced January 1 as the beginning of the new year. However, tampereing with the calendar continued until Julius Caesar established the Julian Calendar in 46 BC. That was the year of 445 days. Caesar had to add days to the old year in order to bring the sun and calendar together again.

So this New Year's Eve, when you get dressed up and head out to your favorite party, don't forget to thank the Babylonians and Romans. Raise a ruckus on your noise maker. Shout out the old and look forward to the new. Drink to your heart's content, but only if you have a designated driver.

Happy New Year to all and to all, a goodnight.

Sources:

Clubplanet, History of New Year's Eve, Brownielocks & The Three Bears

Jerry Wilson, It's Another New Year, wilstar