[Fact 1: January 1 is both the furthest away and closest day to December 31]
We all know that January 1st is the day that follows December 31st. However, it is less well-known that this date is also the furthest day away from December 31st of the preceding year. Thus, it can be said that January 1st is simultaneously the oldest and the youngest day of the year!
[Fact 2: January 1 wasn’t always the start of the New Year]
In ancient Babylon, the new year started with the first full moon after the Vernal Equinox. The celebration would last 11 days. The Romans continued this tradition until 153 B.C. when the Roman Senate declared January 1st to be the start of the New Year. Following the Julian calendar, most of the Western world officially celebrated New Year's Day on January 1st.
[Fact 3: NOT all countries celebrate the New Year on January 1]
While most countries worldwide use the Gregorian calendar and celebrate the New Year on January 1st, some, such as China, Israel, and India, observe different calendars, celebrating New Year's on other dates - like the Chinese New Year, which takes place either in late January or early February, depending on the Chinese lunar calendar.
[Fact 4: January 1 and Statistics]
January 1st is also recognized as 'National Statistics Day'. This day highlights the importance of making information accessible to statistical organizations and the general public. It encourages the gathering and analysis of data to make well-informed decisions and predictions.
[Fact 5: January 1 is a day of many 'firsts']
As it's the first day of the new year, January 1st is a day of many 'firsts'. Some of these include the first sunrise of the year, the first full day of winter (in the northern hemisphere), and of course, the first page of your new calendar!
[Fact 6: Resolutions date back to the Babylonians]
The practice of making New Year Resolutions dates back about 4,000 years to the Babylonians. They made promises to their gods at the start of each year to return borrowed items and pay their debts.
[Fact 7: It's World Peace Day]
It's not just the first day of the year; January 1st is also celebrated globally as World Peace Day, intended to inspire peace and non-violence worldwide - a lovely way to start off every year.
[Fact 8: Birthday of Famous Personalities]
January 1st is the birth date of many notable people, including J. Edgar Hoover, the first Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the U.S., and Paul Revere, an American patriot in the American Revolution.
[Fact 9: Date for Famous Events]
January 1st is a date marked by various significant events in history. For instance, in 1863, Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on this day.
[Fact 10: Day of Good Luck]
In numerous cultures, January 1st is considered a day of good luck. It's believed that what you do on this day sets the tone for the rest of the year.
[Fact 11: First Flag Raising on Iwo Jima]
The first American flag was raised on Iwo Jima on January 1, 1944, a symbolic moment in World War II.
[Fact 12: Celebratory Foods]
Various cultures have specific foods that they consume on January 1st to bring luck and prosperity for the new year.
[Fact 13: National Hangover Day]
Motivated by those who overindulge in New Year's Eve parties, January 1st is humorously (or perhaps fittingly) known as National Hangover Day in the United States.
[Fact 14: The Rose Parade Tradition]
The Tournament of Roses Parade, a New Year's Day tradition in Pasadena, California, has been held on January 1st annually since 1890.
[Fact 15: “Baby New Year”]
The concept of "Baby New Year" started with the Greeks in 600 B.C. They celebrated their god of wine by parading a baby in a basket to signify the rebirth of Dionysus (the god of wine) as the spirit of fertility.
[Fact 16: First CODESA Meeting in South Africa]
The Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) held its first meeting on January 1, 1991, leading to the end of the apartheid system.
[Fact 17: Named After Janus]
January is named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and transitions, who is usually depicted with two faces: one facing forward to the future, the other looking back at the past.
[Fact 18: Ellis Island Anniversary]
On January 1, 1892, Ellis Island in New York Harbor opened as the primary immigration depot into the United States.
[Fact 19: The Euro's Birthday]
January 1, 2002, was the day when Euro banknotes and coins were introduced in 12 Member states of the European Union.
[Fact 20: The Day After New Year's in Japan]
In Japan, the day after New Year's Day (January 1) is traditionally an event when various "first" events are held, such as the first visit to a shrine (Hatsuhinode), the first dream of the year (Hatsuyume), and the first sunrise of the year (Hatsuhinode).