As the calendar turns and a fresh year begins, communities everywhere pause to celebrate New Year’s Day—a tradition that feels timeless, yet has evolved dramatically over thousands of years. From ancient civilizations watching the stars to modern-day countdowns and resolutions, the story of New Year’s is one of renewal, hope, and humanity’s desire for a fresh start.
The earliest recorded New Year celebrations date back more than 4,000 years to ancient Mesopotamia. The Babylonians observed the new year in late March, aligning it with the spring equinox and the rebirth of crops after winter. The...