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Spring is always considered the time of a new beginning. It is the time of the year when every thing appears new and fresh. It is said that New Year was celebrated in Babylone as the earliest. They used to celebrate the Beginning of the year somewhere in mid March. In fact, Hindu’s First month Chaitra starts in March. Ideally New Year should start from March. March first was the New Year in early Roman calendar. But over the time January first became the first day of the New Year. Months names in Julian calendar was named after many gods and goddesses, and great emperors like Julius Caesar and Augustus Caesar added their names to the months.
- January - It is named after the Roman sky-god Janus. He is considered the god of beginning.
Since January is the first month, it is the most befitting name.
- February -This month was named after Februalia, which was a day of purification and sacrifices.
- March - It is named after Mars. Mars was the Roman God of war. He is considered one of the greatest gods in the Roman culture. Intially March was the first month in the Roman calendar but Julius Caesar reformed the Calendar and January became the first month of the year.
- April - It is named after the Greek goddess Aphrodite, who was the goddess of love and beauty. Roman goddess for the same is Venus
- May - This month was named after goddess Maia. She was the goddess of growth.
- June -This is the month named after goddess Juno. She is the goddess of marriage.
- July - This month is named after great Roman emperor Julius Caesar, who is credited for the improvement in Roman calendar. It has 31 days.
- August - It was named after Julius Caesar’s nephew Augustus Caesar after he defeated Antony and Cleopatra. Since July had 31 first days, it was decided that August would also have 31 days.
- Septemeber - Septem means seven in Latin language. In Roman calendar March was the first month and September was seventh month.
- October - Octo means eight in Latin.
- November - Novem is nine in Latin.
- December - Decem is ten in Latin.
Initially, Roman calendar had only ten months. January and February were added in this calendar in 153 B. C. To mark a civil beginning New Year date changed from 1st March to January 1st. It was the time when Roman Consuls were elected for the year. They were the highest officials in Roman Republic. When Julius Caesar came to power, he made some improvements in the Roman calendar. Roman calendar was lunar-based but Caesar introduced a new solar-based calendar in 46 B. C. After that Romans started to celebrate January First as the New Year’s Day.
Europeans used to celebrate New Year either on March 1st or on Christmas. In fact New Year celebrations was considered pagan and unchristian in some parts of the Europe. In 1582 Pope Gregory XIII ordered for some improvements in the existing Julian calendar and made it more practical to use. The new calendar was named after him and it started to be called Gregorian calendar. Catholics adopted this calendar but many protestent countries adopted it much later. For example new calendar was adopted in Britain in 1751. Many religions and cultures have different calendars; they celebrate New Year according to their calendar. For example Chinese celebrate New Year somewhere between January 10 to and February 19 of the Gregorian calendar. Jews New Year is celebrated some time in September of in early October. Muslim New Year starts from the Muharram. Hindu New Year starts in Chaitra month, which is in March according to the Gregorian calendar.
Despite these differences, Gregorian calendar has been very popular and First January is celebrated as the first day of the New Year in almost every country. People make resolutions and party hard on the Eve of the New Year and celebrate till midnight. It is a new beginning for everyone. They look forward to the New Year with a new hope. New Year will have so many surprises and so many new things. It is the reason enough to celebrate and enjoy.
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