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New Year's Day is the
first day of the year,
January 1st.
The celebration of
this holiday begins the
night before on New
Year's Eve, when
Americans gather to wish
each other a happy and
prosperous coming year.
At the stroke of
midnight on New Year's
Eve, people cheer and
sing "Auld Lang Syne."
The song, which means
"old long since" or
roughly "the good old
days," was written by
Robert Burns in 1788.
It is traditional to
make toasts on
New Year's Eve as
well. Making New Year's
resolutions – pledges to
change for the better in
the coming year – is a
common activity
associated with this
holiday.
New Year's Day is the
oldest and most
universal holiday. The
Romans were the first to
observe January 1 as New
Year's Day in 153 B.C.
In 1582, Pope Gregory
XIII instituted the
Gregorian calendar still
in use today, setting
January 1 as New Year's
Day. Prior to this, many
countries celebrated the
new year on April 1st
in celebration with the
new spring season. It
was celebrated much the
same way as it is today
with parties and dancing
into the late hours of
the night. The origin of
April Fools' Day can
be traced to this
change.
Typically, the old
year is represented by
"Father Time," an
elderly man with a
flowing gray beard, and
the new year is
represented by an
infant.
Auld Lang Syne
Performance by
The U.S. Army Ceremonial Band
Should auld
acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And days of Auld Lang Syne?
For Auld Lang Syne, my dear,
For Auld Lang Syne;
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
For Auld Lang Syne
And here's a hand, my trusty friend,
And gives a hand o' thine;
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
For Auld Land Syne
For Auld Lang Syne, my dear,
For Auld Lang Syne;
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
For Auld Lang Syne
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