January 09, 2023
January first is the first day of the year on the Gregorian calendar established by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. It is a calendar based on the previous geocentric calendar and the Julian calendar. After being instituted for a year, the catholic church realized that their new calendar did not line up correctly with their very important celebration, Easter. The exact dates were modified the following years to better fit Easter and the new moon. Since the calendar was introduced by the Pope only catholic countries used it at first, which were mostly European countries such as Spain, France, Italy, and others. The last country to have joined so far is Saudi Arabia, who finally started using it in 2016.
The Gregorian Calendar takes after the Julian Calendar, mostly by the use of its months. It is why the months as we know them now are named after Roman gods, goddesses, and numbers.
Every year, on new year's eve, people gather to celebrate. They toast to the new year, drink and eat together, watch fireworks, and wait for the countdown to start. It has become a tradition to spend quality time with your family and friends and wait for the clock to turn to 12. While celebrations vary from country to country, the main events are often very similar. In Canada, there is usually a comedy show that goes over the events of the past year in a fun and lighthearted way. For quite some time now it has become a tradition for people to go out to bars and clubs on new year's eve while some may prefer to stay home and celebrate more privately with their family.
January 1st is usually referred to as the start of the year, but it is important to remember that other cultures and religions may follow or celebrate a different calendar. The Chinese New Year is one of the other most popular new year celebration. It is mostly celebrated in East Asia, but also around the world. This year, the Chinese new year is on January 22nd. The date changes every year since it follows the lunar cycle. Every year is represented by a zodiac animal. There are 12 zodiac animals in the Chinese calendar, the rat, the ox, the tiger, the rabbit, the dragon, the snake, the horse, the goat, the monkey, the rooster, the dog, and lastly, the pig. 2023 is the year of the rabbit, representing strength, confidence, sociability, and quietness.
Families and friends celebrate by eating traditional meals together, lighting lanterns, fireworks, and candles, and participate in parades and festivals. It is also common practice for children to receive money in red envelopes as "good luck money".
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish new year. The dates of the holiday vary each year. It is celebrated for 2 days, beginning at sundown and ends two days later. In 2023, Rosh Hashanah will take place from September 15 2023 to September 17 2023. Those who participate in the holiday are prohibited from working, and usually spend the day with their families at the synagogues. In the evening, families get together to eat traditional food such as apples dipped in honey, the apple representing good health and the honey the sweetness of the new year.
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