Looking Back On The 'New Year'

Looking Back On The 'New Year'

Sushil Tuli
01/24/2008

LOOKING BACK ON THE 'NEW YEAR'

Did you know that New Year's Day was first observed about 4,000 years ago? Back then, the Babylonians celebrated New Year's at the beginning of spring with festivities that lasted up to eleven days. As we head into our own New Year's celebration, it's a good time to look back on the events and traditions that have shaped how we ring in the New Year. To test your knowledge, try to answer the five questions below from the New Year's trivia challenge on www.holidayquiz.com.

1. Which of the following is the most common New Year's resolution made by Americans?
a. Find a Better Job
b. Stop Smoking
c. Save More Money
d. Lose Weight

2. Who is responsible for us celebrating New Year's Day on January 1st?
a. Pope Gregory
b. Pope Benedict
c. Julius Caesar
d. Alexander the Great

3. The month of January is named after whom?
a. A Hindu Princess
b. The Roman god Janus
c. The Greek god Januarius
d. A former Roman goddess

4. Between 1903 and 1915, what was the main New Year's Day event at the Rose Bowl Stadium?
a. Football
b. Soccer
c. Chariot Races
d. Sprint Running

5. The Scottish tune Auld Lang Syne is commonly sang at the stroke of midnight on New Year's. What is the literal translation of the song's title: Auld Lang Syne?
a. Old Long Ago
b. Always Remembering You
c. Another Year Passes
d. Here We Go Again

ANSWERS:

1. By and large, the most common New Year's resolution is to lose weight.
2. In 153 BC, the Roman senate voted to make January 1st the first day of the New Year. But over the years, Roman emperors continued to tamper with the Calendar. It wasn't until Julius Caesar in 46 B.C. who officially established January 1st as the first day of the New Year. However, in order to be in sync with the sun, Caesar had to declare one year to be 445 days long.
3. Known as the god of beginnings and the gatekeeper of doors and entrances, Janus was the Roman mythical king in early Rome. Similar to the logo used by Janus Funds, this Roman god was known for having the ability to look back and forward at the same time.
4. According to their web site, the Tournament of Roses Association had decided to "enhance" the New Year's Day festivities by adding a football game. It was Stanford University vs. University of Michigan, but the lopsided game ended up being 49-0. That score prompted the Tournament to give up football in favor of Roman-style chariot races. Luckily, college football returned in 1916.
5. The Scottish tune was written by Robert Burns and published in 1796. The literal translation of the title means Old Long Ago.

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