What's the Deal with #NewYears
Why January 1 was Chosen to be the First Day of the Year
It took a while before people accepted January 1 as the First Day of the Year
The Catholic religion had a lot to do with January 1 being the First Day of the Year
Very few people know, but the month of January was named after the Roman god Janus
According to the Romans, the god Janus had two faces. One face looking forward and the other looking back. The Romans believed that Janus was the god to doors and gates. This would indicate that Janus was opening a door/gate to a new year. Julius Caesar himself suggested that January 1 signify the new year, but this idea supposedly went nowhere with the "high council".
The Romans usually celebrated the new year on March 25 like most of the world. In fact, it was fairly recent that January 1 was finally recognized as the First Day of the Year. It wasn't until the year 1751 (in England and then eventually through out most of he world) that January 1 was recognized as the First Day of the Year. With the exception of Scotland who celebrated the First Day of the Year on January 1 ever since the 1600's.
The Romans use to celebrate the coming of new year with plenty of parties, orgies, drunkenness and of course, a little bloodshed.
The Catholic Belief
According to catholic belief, January 1 marks the day that the new born King Jesus Christ was circumcised, 8 days after birth. Since then, new discoveries have been found that suggest that Jesus Christ was more likely born in the month of September - but that's another Hub.