New Year Traditions

Probably the most popular New Year's tradition is the New Year's resolution, which also reverts back to the early Babylonians. Among today's more common resolutions include the promise to lose weight or quit smoking. For Babylonian's, theirs was to return borrowed farm equipment.

The Tournament of Roses Parade began in 1886. In that year, members of the Valley Hunt Club decorated their carriages with flowers, and celebrated the ripening of the orange crop throughout California. Although the Rose Bowl college football game was first played as a part of the Tournament of Roses in 1902, it was replaced by Roman chariot races the following year. It continued until 1916, when football returned as the main attraction of the festival.

The New Year's baby began in Greece around 600 BC. It was their tradition at that time to honor Dionysus, their god of wine. A baby was paraded around in a basket, signifying the annual rebirth of that god and to symbolize fertility. Similar celebrations were had by Early Egyptians.

Once again the church denounced the practice as pagan, and the popularity of the baby's representing rebirth forced the Church to reconsider its position. Eventually, Christians were allowed to celebrate the New Year with a baby; symbolizing the birth of the baby Jesus.

Happy New Year Special

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