50 Fun Facts About New Year's

In what year did the Times Square New Year's Eve ball drop tradition begin?

The first Times Square ball drop took place on December 31, 1907. The tradition was started by Adolph Ochs, publisher of The New York Times, as a way to celebrate the newspaper's new headquarters.

How much does the current Times Square New Year's Eve ball weigh?

The current Waterford Crystal ball weighs 11,875 pounds (approximately 5,386 kg). It is 12 feet in diameter and covered with 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles.

During which two years was the Times Square ball drop NOT held due to wartime 'dimout' regulations?

The ball drop was suspended in 1942 and 1943 due to wartime dimout restrictions during World War II. Crowds still gathered in Times Square, but observed a moment of silence instead of the illuminated ball descent.

Approximately how many people gather in Times Square each year for the New Year's Eve celebration?

Approximately 1 million people crowd into Times Square each New Year's Eve, with an estimated 1 billion more watching on television worldwide.

What famous TV host was most associated with the Times Square New Year's Eve broadcast from 1972 to 2017?

Dick Clark hosted 'New Year's Rockin' Eve' from 1972 until his death in 2012. The show continued bearing his name through 2017. He was so synonymous with the event that he earned the nickname 'America's Oldest Teenager.'

Who wrote the poem that became the song 'Auld Lang Syne'?

Scottish poet Robert Burns published the poem 'Auld Lang Syne' in 1788, though he said he transcribed it from an old man's singing. The melody is a traditional Scottish folk tune.

What does 'Auld Lang Syne' roughly translate to in English?

'Auld Lang Syne' is Scots language and translates roughly to 'old long since' or 'times long past.' The song is about remembering old friends and the experiences shared with them.

Which bandleader helped popularize 'Auld Lang Syne' as a New Year's tradition through his annual CBS broadcast?

Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians performed 'Auld Lang Syne' at midnight on CBS every New Year's Eve from 1929 to 1976, cementing the song's association with the holiday in North America.

In Spain, what is the traditional food eaten at midnight on New Year's Eve?

Spaniards eat twelve grapes at midnight, one for each stroke of the clock. Known as 'las doce uvas de la suerte' (the twelve grapes of luck), the tradition dates back to 1909 and each grape represents good luck for one month of the coming year.

In Denmark, what do people throw against friends' doors at midnight on New Year's Eve?

Danes save chipped or unused plates and glasses throughout the year and throw them against friends' and family's front doors at midnight. A large pile of broken dishes on your doorstep means you have many loyal friends.

What color underwear do people in Brazil traditionally wear on New Year's Eve for good luck?

Brazilians traditionally wear white clothing and white underwear on New Year's Eve to bring peace and good luck in the new year. Some also wear other colors for specific wishes: yellow for money, red for love, and green for health.

In Scotland, what is the name of the New Year's celebration that is one of the biggest in the world?

Hogmanay is Scotland's word for the last day of the year, and Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebration is one of the world's largest New Year's festivals, attracting tens of thousands of visitors with its street parties, torchlight processions, and fireworks.

What do people in the Philippines traditionally display on New Year's Eve to attract prosperity?

Filipinos display 12 round fruits on their table at midnight — one for each month of the year. Round shapes symbolize coins and prosperity. Many also wear polka dots for the same reason.

In Japan, Buddhist temples ring their bells how many times on New Year's Eve?

Japanese Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times in a practice called 'joya no kane.' The 108 rings represent the 108 earthly desires (bonnō) that cause human suffering in Buddhist belief, with each ring helping to dispel one desire.

What do Colombians and some other Latin Americans burn in the street at midnight on New Year's Eve?

In Colombia, Ecuador, and other Latin American countries, people create life-sized effigies called 'Año Viejo' (Old Year) stuffed with paper, old clothes, and sometimes firecrackers, then burn them at midnight to symbolize leaving the old year behind.

In which country is it traditional to eat soba noodles on New Year's Eve for longevity?

In Japan, eating 'toshikoshi soba' (year-crossing noodles) on New Year's Eve is a widespread tradition. The long noodles symbolize longevity and are also easy to bite through, representing a clean break from the old year's troubles.

What do South Africans in Johannesburg's Hillbrow neighborhood famously throw out of windows on New Year's Eve?

In the Hillbrow neighborhood of Johannesburg, there was a dangerous tradition of throwing old furniture and appliances out of apartment windows on New Year's Eve, symbolizing out with the old. Authorities have worked to curb this practice due to safety concerns.

In which country do people walk around the block with an empty suitcase at midnight to bring travel in the new year?

In Colombia (and some other Latin American countries), people who wish to travel in the new year carry an empty suitcase around the block at midnight. The bigger the lap, the farther they believe they will travel.

How many animals are in the Chinese zodiac cycle?

There are 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac, rotating in a fixed cycle: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Each year is associated with one animal.

What color is considered the luckiest during Chinese New Year celebrations?

Red is the most auspicious color during Chinese New Year. According to legend, a monster called Nian was afraid of the color red, so people hung red decorations to ward it off. Red symbolizes good fortune, joy, and prosperity.

What are the red envelopes given during Chinese New Year called?

Hóng bāo (红包) are red envelopes containing money, traditionally given by married couples and elders to children and unmarried adults during Chinese New Year. The red color symbolizes good luck and is believed to ward off evil spirits.

How long does the Chinese New Year festival traditionally last?

Chinese New Year celebrations traditionally last 15 days, beginning on the first day of the lunar new year and ending with the Lantern Festival on the 15th day. Each day has its own traditions and customs.

Which food is commonly eaten during Chinese New Year because its name sounds like the word for 'wealth' in Chinese?

Dumplings (jiǎozi, 饺子) are eaten during Chinese New Year because their shape resembles ancient Chinese gold ingots (yuánbǎo). Additionally, the word jiǎozi sounds similar to the word for the transition of years. Fish is also eaten because 'yú' sounds like 'surplus.'

What mythical creature are the lion and dragon dances during Chinese New Year meant to scare away?

According to legend, Nian was a fearsome beast that would emerge at the start of each new year to attack villagers. The loud drums, firecrackers, and lion/dragon dances are all meant to scare Nian away, since it feared loud noises and the color red.

Which Roman ruler reformed the calendar so that the new year began on January 1st?

Julius Caesar introduced the Julian calendar in 46 BC, which established January 1 as the start of the new year. Before this reform, the Roman calendar began in March. January was named after Janus, the two-faced god of beginnings and transitions.

Which Roman god is the month of January named after?

January is named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings, transitions, doorways, and endings. He is typically depicted with two faces — one looking forward to the future and one looking back at the past, making him a fitting symbol for the new year.

In the medieval period, many European countries celebrated New Year's Day on which date instead of January 1?

During the Middle Ages, many European countries celebrated New Year on March 25 (the Feast of the Annunciation, also called Lady Day). England and its colonies did not officially adopt January 1 as New Year's Day until the adoption of the Gregorian calendar in 1752.

The Gregorian calendar, which is used worldwide today, was introduced by which Pope?

Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar in October 1582 via the papal bull 'Inter gravissimas.' It corrected the drift in the Julian calendar by adjusting leap year rules, and most Catholic countries adopted it immediately.

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, typically falls in which months of the Gregorian calendar?

Rosh Hashanah occurs on the first two days of the Hebrew month of Tishrei, which typically corresponds to September or October in the Gregorian calendar. It marks the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days.

Nowruz, the Persian New Year, coincides with which astronomical event?

Nowruz falls on the spring (vernal) equinox, typically around March 20-21. It has been celebrated for over 3,000 years and is observed by more than 300 million people across Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Caucasus.

The Ethiopian New Year (Enkutatash) falls on September 11 and is based on which calendar?

The Ethiopian New Year is based on the Ge'ez calendar (also called the Ethiopian calendar), which is approximately 7-8 years behind the Gregorian calendar. Enkutatash falls on September 11 (or September 12 in a leap year) and coincides with the end of the rainy season.

Which French region must sparkling wine come from to be officially called 'Champagne'?

Only sparkling wine produced in the Champagne region of northeastern France, following specific production methods (méthode champenoise), can legally be called Champagne. This is protected by European Union law and various international treaties.

Approximately how many bottles of champagne are consumed worldwide on New Year's Eve?

An estimated 360 million glasses (roughly 60 million bottles at six glasses per bottle) of champagne and sparkling wine are consumed worldwide on New Year's Eve, making it the single biggest champagne-drinking occasion of the year.

What is the traditional Scottish New Year's drink served during first-footing?

During the Scottish 'first-footing' tradition, the first person to cross the threshold of a home after midnight brings gifts including Scotch whisky, coal, shortbread, and black bun. Sharing whisky is central to the Hogmanay celebration.

Which city holds the record for the most expensive New Year's Eve fireworks display?

Dubai regularly holds the record for the most expensive New Year's Eve fireworks display, spending tens of millions of dollars. In 2014, Dubai set a Guinness World Record with a display using over 500,000 fireworks across more than 400 locations along the city's coastline.

Which is one of the first major world cities to ring in the New Year due to its time zone?

Auckland, New Zealand is one of the first major world cities to celebrate the New Year, sitting in the UTC+13 time zone during daylight saving. Small Pacific island nations like Kiribati and Tonga technically ring in the new year first, but Auckland hosts the first major internationally televised celebration.

Where is the iconic New Year's fireworks display held at the Sydney Harbour?

Sydney's famous New Year's Eve fireworks are centered on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, with additional fireworks launched from barges in the harbour and rooftops nearby. The midnight display on the bridge is one of the most watched fireworks shows in the world, seen by over 1 billion viewers globally.

According to most surveys, what is consistently the most popular New Year's resolution?

Across numerous polls and surveys, exercising more and losing weight consistently tops the list of most common New Year's resolutions. Saving money and eating healthier typically follow closely behind.

Studies suggest approximately what percentage of New Year's resolutions are abandoned by the end of February?

Research consistently shows that approximately 80% of New Year's resolutions fail by the end of February. Only about 8-10% of people successfully achieve their annual resolutions, according to studies from the University of Scranton and others.

The ancient Babylonians are credited with the earliest known New Year's resolutions around 4,000 years ago. What did they typically promise?

The ancient Babylonians are believed to have made the first New Year's resolutions around 4,000 years ago during a 12-day festival called Akitu. They would promise the gods to return borrowed objects and repay their debts, believing that keeping their word would earn them favor.

What day in January has been dubbed 'Quitter's Day' because the most people give up on their New Year's resolutions?

The second Friday in January has been dubbed 'Quitter's Day' by fitness app Strava, based on their analysis of user activity data. It typically falls around January 10-12, marking the point when many people abandon their New Year's fitness goals.

In the movie 'When Harry Met Sally,' what happens between the main characters on New Year's Eve?

In the iconic 1989 film, Harry (Billy Crystal) rushes to a New Year's Eve party to tell Sally (Meg Ryan) he loves her, delivering one of cinema's most famous romantic speeches: 'When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.'

Which country introduced the tradition of the 'first-footing' — where the first person to enter your home after midnight determines your luck?

First-footing originated in Scotland as part of Hogmanay traditions. The ideal first-footer was a tall, dark-haired man carrying symbolic gifts: coal for warmth, bread for food, salt for flavor, and whisky for good cheer. A blonde or red-haired first-footer was considered bad luck, possibly linked to unwanted Norse invaders.

What event occurred on January 1, 1863, making it one of the most historically significant New Year's Days in American history?

President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation took effect on January 1, 1863, declaring that all enslaved people in Confederate states 'shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.' This made New Year's Day a day of liberation celebrated as 'Watch Night' in African American communities.

Which traditional American New Year's Day football games are among the oldest bowl games?

The Rose Bowl, first played on January 1, 1902, is the oldest bowl game and has been an annual New Year's Day tradition since 1916. Known as 'The Granddaddy of Them All,' it is played at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California.

The Mummers Parade, the oldest folk festival in the United States, takes place on New Year's Day in which city?

The Mummers Parade has been held in Philadelphia on New Year's Day since 1901, though the tradition dates back to the mid-17th century. Participants dress in elaborate, colorful costumes and march down Broad Street in categories including Comics, Fancies, String Bands, and Fancy Brigades.

The tradition of kissing at midnight on New Year's Eve is believed to have originated from which ancient celebration?

The midnight New Year's kiss tradition is most commonly traced to English and German masquerade ball traditions. At these events, the removal of masks at midnight was followed by a kiss. It was believed that a kiss sealed the promise of affection for the year to come, while failing to kiss at midnight was considered bad luck.

In the southern United States, which food is traditionally eaten on New Year's Day for good luck and prosperity?

Black-eyed peas are a staple New Year's Day food in the southern United States, often served in a dish called Hoppin' John (with rice and pork). The tradition may date back to the Civil War, when black-eyed peas — considered animal feed — were left behind by Union troops, becoming a symbol of resilience and good fortune.

What is the traditional greeting used in Japan for New Year, meaning 'Happy New Year'?

'Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu' (明けましておめでとうございます) is the standard Japanese New Year greeting, meaning 'Happy New Year' or more literally 'Congratulations on the dawn [of a new year].' It is used when greeting someone for the first time after midnight on January 1.

Which small Pacific island nation is the first inhabited place on Earth to welcome each New Year?

The Republic of Kiribati, specifically its Line Islands (including Christmas Island/Kiritimati), sits in the UTC+14 time zone — the earliest in the world. This makes it the first inhabited place on Earth to ring in each New Year, a full 26 hours before the last place (Baker Island) celebrates.