Millennium, Welcome!

by Elisa Athonvarangkul

"10 ...9...8...5...4...3...2...1...2000!"  There is no doubt that New York City's Times Square will be filled with people from all over at midnight, this New Year's Eve.  However, New Year's Day is celebrated with numerous traditions and customs throughout the world.  Actually, the clock does not even strike 12 am at the same time everywhere.

In fact, New Year's Day was not even always celebrated on January 1st.  Originally, the Babylonians celebrated the beginning of their New Year in spring on March 23 - the start of a new cycle of planting and harvest.   What we celebrate nowadays is a date chosen by the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar in 46 BC, when he was able to synchronize the Julian calendar with the sun.

Although some things may have changed, other traditions still continue. A custom that dates back to the Babylonians is making New Year's resolutions.  Among our favorites include promises to quit smoking, to lose weight, to read for class, and others.  The Babylonians' favorite resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment, not overdue library books.

Around the world, people welcome the new year with traditions unique to their culture.  In Japan, a rope of straw is hung across the front of houses to keep out evil spirits and bring happiness and good luck.  In West Bengal (northern India), people wear pink, purple, white and yellow flowers - the colors of spring.  In Vancouver, British Columbia, Canadians enjoy their traditional "polar bear swim."  In the US, we have our famous "ball drop" on Times Square in New York, and the Tournament of Roses Parade in California.  In Paris, people honk their car horns at midnight because it is prohibited at other times.  The French also have a large meal,  reveille, with family and friends. In Eastern Europe, the Bulgarians eat a traditional pastry called banitsa - it is a filo-dough pastry with fortunes written on small pieces of paper rolled up inside.  The eldest of the family spins the banitsa and everyone eats the slice in front of them, while reading about their luck in the upcoming year.  These are only a few of the celebrations that take place on January 1st, while many other cultures observe their own traditional New Years on other dates.

In whichever time zone you may be on December 31st  - in Times Square, by Big Ben, around the Arc de Triumph, or in Tokyo, welcoming the year 2000 will definitely be an important and exciting occasion.  You will have the chance to start over with 365 untouched days.  Cherish the memories of this century and be prepared to create new ones in the years to come.  Have a safe and happy holiday! Enjoy the champagne toast and the New Year kiss. See you in the next millenium.