January 1st has been the start of a new year for centuries. Today's
modern calendar is called the Gregorian calendar, but western
European countries in the middle ages marked the first day of the
year as January 1st while using the Julian calendar. Even the
ancient Romans used that date for their new year. East Asian
countries adopted the Gregorian calendar in the late 1800's or early
1900's.
In the early 1900's, New Years Day began to be commemorated with
fireworks, feasts, and New Year's resolutions. These resolutions
usually consist of objectives of personal improvements that the
person intends to fulfill in the new year. The most famous parade is
the Tournament of Roses, held in Pasadena, California. This annual
event features parade floats covered entirely in flowers or natural
items. The Rose Bowl football game follows. The biggest fireworks
display is in Rio de Janeiro and draws over 2 million people to the
beaches to observe. New York City's Times Square marks the countdown
to the new year with the lowering of a crystal ball that reaches the
bottom of its tower exactly at midnight.
In some colder areas the new year starts off with an icy swim. Many
cities have a Polar Bear Club which invites swimmers to plunge into
icy cold waters for a brief swim.
