Published: 31/12/2025

Why is the New Year celebrated on the 1st of January?

It must have always been this way.

It would be wrong to believe it has always been this way and to think that every culture, even today celebrates the new year on January first. Would you believe there are approximately forty calendars in current use around the world. Calendars are generally based on culture, religion, the sun and the moon.

So how did most of the world choose 1st Jan as their new year?

In short we adopted the Roman or Gregorian calendar. The Roman calendar had originally use the month of March as it's start of a new year. The Roman King Numa Pomilius, put the wheels in motion to move the date, Julius Caesar made further changes, which took effect in the year 153 Before the Common Era.

Fine tuning and the Gregorian calendar.

This is the final and current version which was adjusted during Pope Gregory 13th time in 1582. Allowing for leap years and Easter, as the calendar had been adopted by Christian society. It took 170 years for most of the world to adopt these dates as many were still using March as the start of the new year. During the 20th century more cultures adopted the widespread Gregorian version, although many still use their traditional versions and celebrate dates that do not align with todays common calendar.

Wherever you are and whoever you are with, we wish you the happiest new year whenever you celebrate it.

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