Humans throughout history have begun their years on so many different days that the alternatives, to quote late British historian A. F. Pollard, are “almost legion.” Jan. 1 is the most familiar to Americans and most of Western civilization, and its recognition continues to grow around the world. But had the winding road of the past two millenia run another course, it’s possible we would now be planning to ring in 2021 on any number of dates.
The first recorded New Year’s celebration traces back to Mesopotamia, where 4,000 years ago the ancient Babylonians kicked off an 11-day festival called Akitu on the vernal equinox. This date in late March, when the day and night are equal in length, is a popular choice for civilizations. Other societies, including the Egyptians, Persians and Phoenicians, marked their collective cultural rebirth on the autumnal equinox in late September. The Greeks preferred December’s winter solstice.
Why, out of these and so many other options, did Jan. 1 emerge as the near-ubiquitous New Year’s Day of modern times?
