When does a year begin?
For most people, the first day of the year is January 1. But this was
not always so. The ancient Greeks started their year on the first day of
winter—December 21 or 22. The Romans began their year on March 1. Then
they changed the calendar and moved the start of the year to January 1.
Many other countries also used January 1. But some went back to March 1,
and others chose September 1. At one time, some Christian countries made
December 25, Christmas, the first day of the year. And, about a thousand
years ago, many nations switched to March 25.
At one time, a French king made Easter the first of the year. Another
time, about two hundred years ago, the French moved the start of the
year to September 22.
Even today, many people celebrate the first of the year on different
dates. The Jewish New Year is on Tishri 1, between September 5 and
October 5. And in the Russian Orthodox Church, the year starts on
January 14.
In Iran, the new year begins on March 21. The Iranians call this No
Ruz, which means \”New Day.” And many Chinese living outside China
celebrate the old Chinese New Year. It falls between January 21 and
February 19.
There is nothing special about January 1. It really doesn’t matter when
a year begins.
