What Month Begins the New Year? | National Geographic

Looking for an interesting fact to share at your New Year's party? How about this: New Year's Day hasn't always been celebrated on January 1st. The new year that many cultures celebrate falls on January 1st, but this only came into effect in 46 BC when Julius Caesar declared January 1 the official first day of the year.

At the time, Rome abided by the traditional lunar calendar, which follows the cycles of the moon. But by the time Caesar came into power, the calendar dates and seasons were totally off. So, to help them line back up in 46 BC, he decided to add 90 days to the calendar, making that year 445 days long.

From then on, his new calendar would have 365 days with a leap year every fourth year, just like the calendar we all know today. Before Caesar, most people followed the lunar calendar. The earliest records of New Year's festivities were from 4,000 years ago in Babylon, where they celebrated New Year's around March.

According to their calendar, the year began when the first new moon of spring appeared. Some parts of the world still abide by the lunar calendar, so in addition to kicking off a new year on January 1st, they also celebrate their own New Years, which can fall on completely different days according to their lunar and cultural significance.

For example, the Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, often happens in February. In India, one of the biggest New Year festivals, called Diwali or Festival of Lights, usually happens in October or November.

Although different cultures celebrate New Years on different days, one thing remains constant: we're all celebrating a fresh start. Those who observe Chinese Spring Festival wish one another future prosperity, and the traditional Hindu New Year involves making resolutions for spiritual growth in the coming year.

Even Julius Caesar's decision to begin the new year on January 1 was looking to the future. The date was in honor of Janus, the month's namesake and the Roman God of Beginnings, embracing a fresh start.

Art is something everyone, no matter where or what culture you're from, can toast to. Happy New Year!