New Year's Day is observed on January 1, the
first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar as well as the Julian
calendar used in ancient Rome. However, with most countries now using
the Gregorian calendar as their main calendar, New Year's Day is the closest
thing to being the world's only truly global public holiday, often
celebrated with fireworks at the stroke of midnight as the new year starts.
National
celebrations
In
the United Kingdom there are many celebrations across the towns
and cities, particularly in Scotland.
·
In London, England, thousands gather along the Embankment on the River Thames to watch the fireworks around the London Eye. The New Year officially starts when Big Ben strikes twelve.
·
In Scotland, there are many special customs associated with
the New Year. These are a part of the Scottish celebration Hogmanay, the Scots name for New Year's Eve. The famous street
party in Princes Street in Edinburgh is one example.
·
In Greece and Cyprus, families and relatives switch off the lights at
midnight, then celebrate by cutting the vassilopita (Basil's
pie) which usually contains one coin or equivalent. Whoever wins expects luck
for the whole year. After the
pie, a traditional game of cards called triantaena (31)
follows.
·
In
the United States, it is traditional to spend this occasion together
with loved ones. A toast is made to the New Year, with kisses,
fireworks and parties among the customs. It is popular to make a New Year's
resolution,
although that is optional. In the country's most famous New Year celebration in New York City, the 11,875-pound (5,386-kg), 12-foot-diameter
(3.7-m) Times Square Ball located high above One Times Square is lowered starting at 11:59 p.m., with a
countdown from sixty seconds until one second, when it reaches the bottom of
its tower. The arrival of the New Year is announced at the stroke of midnight with fireworks, music and a live celebration that is broadcast worldwide.
·
In
France, some regard the weather as the prediction of that year: wind
blowing east, fruit will yield; wind blowing west, fish and livestock will be
bumper; wind blowing south, there will be good weather all year round and wind
blowing north, there will be crop failure.
·
In
Spain, it is customary to have 12 grapes at hand when the clock strikes 12 at
midnight. One grape is eaten on each stroke. If all the grapes are eaten within
the period of the strikes, it means good luck in the new year.
Information retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Year's_Day, in 2011
Posts
