1ST -JANUARY is the day which many people around the world celebrate their New Year-many people do a lot of things in celebrating this day. But, the question rises: Why do we celebrate New Year on January 1? In this article I compiled some of the reasons why people celebrate on January 1st some traditions and events.
January 1, is the date which was chosen by Roman Senate in 153 BC but it did not matter as people were celebrating whenever they wanted to- before Julius Caesar decided in 46 BC that New Year would be celebrated on January 1st.
In that year, Julius created a Julius calendar that is why he decided the New Year should be start on January 1st. In that year he had to make the year last 445 days in order to harmonize the calendar with the moon.
In 2000 BC the Babylonians celebrated new year in around spring with the first New Moon after the Vernal Equinox and the celebration was lasting 11 days. This celebration was called Akitu. It is reported that Akitu was performance of the a mythological battle fought between the new god Marduk and the old goddeness Tiamet.
Some Christians also celebrate on January 1st as they believe that this day, is when Jesus Christ was circumcised.
Some churches gather to do what they call “Watch Night”-they do spend all night thanking God for the blessings received in the old year.
In 1700s the Moravians landed in the United States to start the “Watch night” before John Wesley (founder of Methodists) picked up the practice.
January 1 in 1863, was the effective date of the emancipation declaration and it was known as “freedom’s eve.”
Some believe that the beginning of spring is a logical time to start a new year. because, it is seems to be the season of rebirth, of planting new crops, and of budding. January 1, there is no significance in either astronomical or agricultural-it is merely capricious.
For the Malawians, they have something to be proud of as Tiyambe Zeleza named a Professor and Head, Department of African American students at the University of Illinois at Chicago, America on January 1, 2007.
Teleza who was born in May 1955 in Harare, Zimbabwe is a far-famed person who received his BA with distinction in 1972-1976, majoring in History and English. He also served as a Staff Associate at the University of Malawi’s Chancellor College from 1976-1977 before going to Britain for his graduate studies.
He is a holder of MA in African history and International Relations which he obtained at University of London’s school of Oriental political science from 1977-1978 before getting his PhD in economic history at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Mona, Scotia, Canada in 1978-1982.
In some traditions, it is believed that you should start the new year with congratulating your loved one for the passion she/he has shown in the past year. Promising that you will lose weight, quit smoking is among other practices which Babylonians were doing.
It is also believed that on this day you should not attempt to pay back your loans or lend money-keep it for the time to follow. You are also commanded to bring back borrowed farm equipment.
So January 1, is a day with good things to remember.
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