DALLAS (KLIF/WBAP) — 2017 is officially coming to a close, and people around the world are celebrating the New Year.
But why do we celebrate?
Cultures have been marking the occasion for more than 4000 years. In ancient Babylon, an 11 day festival for a new year would be held on the first new moon after the vernal equinox. On the final day, a new King would be crowned, thus signifying rebirth and hope for the future.
It wasn’t until Julius Caesar adopted the Julian calendar in 46 BC that the New Year was celebrated January 1st, and for many cultures, that’s how it’s stayed. (Chinese cultures are the most notable exception.)
On Friday, Dave wondered, do people go out of their way to “ring in the New Year”? So he enlisted the help of Producer Robyn Geske, to try and figure it out.
Dave Williams & Amy Chodroff, KLIF/WBAP, Copyright © 2017
