By MICHAEL BOYLAN
Weekend Editor

When was the first year and when was the first new year?

The world may never know the exact answer to the question. Few people were avid journal keepers near the dawn of civilization. The tradition of New Year's Eve has been traced back to the Babylonians approximately 4,000 years ago. Their celebration occurred in March and lasted 11 days. Their festivities celebrated another year of new crops and new harvesting.

The Romans also used this date to celebrate the new year, until approximately 100 B.C. Many emperors began to tamper with the calendar and the new date of the new year was Jan. 1, which has no astrological or agricultural significance. In 46 B.C. Julius Caesar made it official and extended a year by 80 days to synchronize the calendar with the sun.

In the first centuries of A.D., the Christian church said that the festivities were pagan, but soon the church began to run its religious festivities concurrently. Church leaders eventually adopted many of the same traditions. For example, the baby as the symbol for the new year originated in Greece in 600 B.C. The church originally spoke out against this practice until it began using the baby to symbolize the birth of Christ. This practice was brought over to the United States from Germany, which started using the symbol in the 14th century.

Western nations have been celebrating the New Year for only about 400 years. Around the start of the 18th century, many English speaking nations began singing a song that literally meant “old long ago” or “good old days.” In 1796, Robert Burns penned full lyrics to the song, “Auld Lang Syne,” launching a tradition that still holds true today.

Other traditions that remain are the Tournament of Roses parade, which started in 1886. Members of the Valley Hunt Club in California decorated their carriages with flowers to signify the ripening of the oranges. The first Rose Bowl football game was played in 1902, only to be replaced the next year by Roman Chariot races. The football game returned in 1916.

Many of the other practices that take place on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day have existed for a long time. The practice of making New Year's resolutions dates back to ancient Babylonia.

Another belief that has been held for many years is the belief that the first visitor of the year will either bring good luck for the year or bad luck for the year.

Many cultures also believe in the eating of traditional foods. Some feel that food in the shape of rings means that you have come full circle; others eat black eyed peas and ham hocks for good luck.

It's good to know that so many people have kept these traditions alive for thousands of New Year's eves and days. Maybe there isn't too much to worry about after all.

Happy New Year!

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