The countdown begins. The confetti is ready. You have your beverage of choice in hand. New Year’s Eve is one of the few holidays celebrated almost universally across the globe, yet most of us know very little about why we celebrate the way we do. We sing songs in languages we don’t speak, eat specific foods for “luck,” and watch a giant crystal ball descend a flagpole in New York City. But have you ever stopped to ask why?
The History Of The Times Square Ball
The “ball drop” is iconic, but its origins are surprisingly maritime. In the 19th century, “time balls” were dropped in ports at specific times (usually 1:00 PM) to help sailors adjust their chronometers for navigation.
The first ball drop in Times Square happened in 1907 because fireworks were banned in the city. The original ball was made of wood and iron, weighed 700 pounds, and was covered in 100 light bulbs. Today, the ball is a geometric marvel covered in Waterford Crystal triangles and powered by thousands of LEDs, weighing in at nearly 12,000 pounds.
Why We Sing “Auld Lang Syne”
When the clock strikes twelve, people across the English-speaking world join hands and belt out “Auld Lang Syne.” Most people get the words wrong, and even fewer know what they mean.
The song is an old Scottish poem written down by Robert Burns in 1788. The title roughly translates to “times gone by” or “old long since.” It is essentially a song about remembering old friends and preserving old memories, asking the question: “Should old acquaintance be forgot?”
The song became a New Year’s staple in North America largely thanks to bandleader Guy Lombardo. His band, the Royal Canadians, played the song at midnight on radio and TV broadcasts for decades, cementing it as the anthem of the holiday.
The Reason For The Midnight Kiss
Pucker up! According to English and German folklore, the first person you encounter in the new year sets the tone for the next 12 months. This superstition evolved over time. Now, the tradition holds that kissing a loved one at midnight ensures that your relationship will thrive in the coming year. Conversely, failing to find a partner for a midnight smooch is said to doom you to a year of loneliness.
Pork Vs. Lobster
What you eat matters, but what you don’t eat matters too. In many cultures, pork is considered lucky because pigs root forward with their snouts, symbolizing progress. Chickens and turkeys scratch backward, so eating poultry is sometimes considered bad luck—you don’t want to dwell on the past. Lobster is also off the menu for the superstitious, as lobsters can move backward, which could signify setbacks in the new year.
The Reality Of Resolutions
The Babylonians were the first to make New Year’s resolutions, though theirs were usually promises to the gods to return borrowed farm equipment or pay off debts.
Today, nearly half of all Americans make resolutions, with weight loss and financial management topping the list. Unfortunately, statistics show that success rates are low. This phenomenon is so common that January 17th is sometimes jokingly referred to as “Ditch New Year’s Resolution Day.”
