History
True or False:
The earliest known New Years celebrations date back at least 4000 years ago.
True
The earliest known New Years celebrations goes back to the Babylonian Empire. The day was marked the “Vernal Equinox”, a day in March where there was equal daylight and darkness of night. This marked the victory of the Sky God ‘Marduk’ over the evil sea Goddess ‘Tiamat’. This celebration was also called “Akitu”, and would last 11 days!
When someone promises to do something to better themselves in the new year (e.g. go to the gym), they make a...
New Years resolution
This New Years celebrated happens in late January or early February, and originates from a country in East Asia. This also called "Lunar New Year".
What is Chinese New Year
When was the iconic ball drop first done in Times Square?
(A) 1956
(B) 1907
(C) 2002
1907
The first new years celebration in Times Square was held in 1904 using fireworks. However, for safety reasons, the city banned the use of fireworks in Times Square, and this was replaced with a ball used for the countdown. That ball is used to this day, and it appears that fireworks are also allowed again!
This New Years dish comes from the American South. It consists of pork flavoured field peas, rice, green vegetables, and cornbread.
What is Hoppin' John
True or false:
The New Year starts on January 1 thanks to Roman Emperor Julius Caesar
True
In 46 BC, Julius Caesar declared the beginning of the year as the 1st of the month of "Januarius", named after the Roman God of Beginnings, being Janus. People would decorate their homes with branches and exchange gifts with one another. Sound familiar???
This song was originally a poem that was written by Robbie Burns in the 1800's, and is now a song traditionally sung at midnight on new years.
Auld Lang Syne
This new year celebration comes from Iran, and usually takes place in March. This is meant to mark the Vernal Equinox, the day in which there is equal sunlight to that of darkness.
Naw-Ruz or Iranian New Year
How many pounds does the countdown ball weigh?
(A) 1500 pounds
(B) 600 pounds
(C) 11875 pounds
11875 pounds
That's right, this ball weighs almost 12000 pounds! The only way to safely hoist that ball on top of times square is with a crane!
Coming from the Netherlands, these are doughnut-like dumplings made from mixing dough with raisins, and deep frying them in oil.
Oliebollen or fried oil balls
According to the Chinese Zodiac, what animal does 2024 represent?
Year of the Dragon
People like to consume this bubbly drink at the arrival of the new year.
Champagne
This celebration is popular in parts of the African continent. It's name in Swahili translates to "First Fruits".
What is Kwanzaa
How many people attended the countdown at Times square for New Years 2024?
(A) 600 people
(B) 20000 people
(C) 1 million people
One million people!
A food tradition stemming from Spain, you are supposed to eat twelve of this fruit after the clock strikes midnight
Grapes
Stemming from 600 BC, this ancient Greek tradition consists of parading the first baby of the year around town out of respect for the God of fertility Dionysus.
What is the First Baby of the New Year
What is the colour of food that you should eat at New Years for luck?
Green
Novy God or Russian New Year
How long does it take to clean up after the celebration?
6 hours!
This is a traditional Japanese meal to eat on New Years eve to welcome the next year. It is hot and soupy.
Soba noodles
A foody tradition stemming back to the 17th century, eating these elongated noodles is meant to represent longevity and prosperity in the new year!
When was the very first televised new years celebration?
(A) 1974
(B) 1999
(C) 1956
1956
The first televised new years celebration was on the channel CBS, hosted by Guy Lombardo
Taking place on New Years day, people run into nearly freezing water. Not only this, but they pay to do so! This is a staple of New Years in Canada.
The polar bear dip
Occurring in Sri Lanka and parts of Southern India, and on April 14, people who celebrate this mark the new year through serving trays of mango, banana, jackfruit, areca nuts, betel leaves, gold or silver jewelry, a mirror, money, rice, coconut, and flowers.
What is Puthandu or Tamil New Year.
What was the original countdown ball made of?
Iron, wood, and 100 lightbulbs!
King Cake
According to countless new year's traditions, sweets consumed are supposed to be round to represent the "full circle of luck" from the previous year, to this one!