Happy New Year"s Day! Humans have celebrated the new year since at least 2000 BCE, but various cultures have chosen different days coinciding with equinoxes or lunar cycles. The Romans established January 1 as the beginning of the year in 153 BCE, but this fell out of favour throughout Europe during the medieval era. Since 1582 and the widespread adoption of the Gregorian calendar, however, much of the world now celebrates the new year today. In addition to watching fireworks, drinking champagne and making resolutions in the wee hours of the morning, other global traditions include making noise, eating lucky foods and giving gifts.
Happy New Year!
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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Sanctuary among the trees
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Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, United States
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Gaztelugatxe islet at sunset, Basque Country, Spain
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Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, Vancouver, British Columbia
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The Roaches ridge in the Peak District, England
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Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, Idaho, USA
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Cinque Torri, Dolomites, Italy
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Nature, art, and...math?
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Positively purple peaks
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Dubrovnik, Croatia
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Celebrating Pi Day
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Kings of the north
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You otter check this out
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Plum blossoms, China
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Grasmere, Lake District, Cumbria, England
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Vancouver Coastal Sea wolves in the Great Bear Rainforest
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St. Joseph North Pier Inner and Outer Lights, Michigan, USA
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Mendenhall Glacier, Alaska, United States
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Mona Vale rockpool, Sydney, Australia
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Kinder Scout, Peak District National Park, UK
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World Bicycle Day
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Pastel perfection
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Peach trees in Cieza, Murcia, Spain
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Groundhog Day
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Celebrating women
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Saving and celebrating honey bees
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Aerial view of Venice, Italy
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The world’s greatest oasis?
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Chinese New Year
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Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

