No Longer New Year’s Day is celebrated on January 11 every year. This day was created arising from the notion that New Year’s greetings can last for many weeks on end. As a matter of fact, however, New Year’s greetings need not persist for protracted periods to give people the clear headspace they need to go back to work after the holidays. Engaging in holiday behavior is believed to relax people at work more than they should, hence the creation of No Longer New Year’s Day.
HISTORY OF NO LONGER NEW YEAR’S DAY
In 46 B.C., the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar developed what is known as the Julian calendar after consulting with the most prominent astronomers and mathematicians during that time. This calendar bore a close resemblance to the Gregorian calendar introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in the 15th century. The latter calendar has since been widely used.
Caesar instituted January 1 as the first day of the year, partly as a way of honoring the month’s namesake, Janus, the Roman god of beginnings (who had two faces allowing him to look back into the past and forward into the future). Romans celebrated the occasion by offering sacrifices to Janus, exchanging gifts with one another, and decorating their homes with branches of laurel as well as attending parties.
In Medieval Europe, Christian leaders temporarily replaced January 1 as the first day of the year with days that had more religious significance such as December 25 (which is Christmas Day celebrated by Catholics and Christians) and March 25, which is the Feast of the Annunciation. Pope Gregory XIII then reestablished January 1 as New Year’s Day in 1582.
In many countries, New Year’s Day celebrations typically begin on the evening of December 31 (also New Year’s Eve) and continue into the early hours of January 1. Individuals often enjoy meals and snacks which are believed to bestow good luck for the coming year. In Spain and several other Spanish-speaking countries, people bolt a dozen grapes just before midnight as a symbol of their hopes for the months ahead.
NO LONGER NEW YEAR’S DAY TIMELINE
100 B.C.: Julius Caesar is Born
Caesar, who developed the Julian calendar and proclaimed January 1 as New Year’s Day, is born.
46 B.C.: Caesar Establishes New Year’s Day
Caesar establishes January 1 as New Year’s Day in honor of the Roman god, Janus.
1852: Pope Gregory XIII Reestablishes New Year’s Day
Pope Gregory XIII sets January 1 as the beginning of each new year — it adheres to what is widely known as the Gregorian calendar.
2022: The Most Recent Observance
The most recent observance of No Longer New Year’s Day takes place on January 11, 2022.
NO LONGER NEW YEAR’S DAY FAQS
What is No Longer New Year’s Day?
No Longer New Year’s Day is an international holiday, which supposedly marks the end of New Year greetings.
On what day does No Longer New Year’s Day fall?
No Longer New Year’s Day falls on January 11 each year.
How should we celebrate No Longer New Year’s Day?
One way to celebrate No Longer New Year’s Day is to focus on and practice the right work attitude as it’ll be a while before the next Christmas season comes around.
NO LONGER NEW YEAR’S DAY ACTIVITIES
- Cease New Year’s Day greetings
- The idea behind No Longer New Year’s Day is to remind people that New Year’s Day has passed. We’re no longer supposed to send out New Year’s messages.
- Get into work mode for the year
- Focus on getting in the right stride for work as a new year begins. It’ll be a while until Yuletide.
- Spread the word online
- Share your thoughts about this holiday online. Use the #NoLongerNewYearsDay hashtag.
5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT NEW YEAR’S DAY
- The first celebration
- The first celebration of New Year’s Day is said to have taken place over 4,000 years ago.
- New Year’s resolutions
- About 45% of Americans make their resolutions on New Year’s Day.
- A large gathering at Times Square
- About a million people gather at New York’s Times Square to watch the ball drop at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Day.
- Champagne popping
- People all around the world have observed the tradition of popping a champagne bottle to celebrate New Year’s Day.
- Going green on New Year’s Day
- It is said that eating some leafy greens on New Year’s Day is a sign of good luck for the rest of the year.
WHY WE LOVE NO LONGER NEW YEAR’S DAY
- New Year’s Day is a public holiday
- New Year’s Day is a public holiday. We sure do love to celebrate important events on holidays!
- An opportunity for a fresh start
- The new year symbolizes a fresh start. It’s an opportunity to look into certain aspects of our lives.
- It helps us to focus on important things
- No Longer New Year’s Day helps us beat the holiday blues. It gives us the opportunity to focus on the important things in life (like work and family).
Source: nationaltoday