Though the New Years celebration came from the ancient Babylonians, different cultures around the world have shaped the original New Years and formed their own unique traditions. “New Year, new me,” for example has been coined in America to fit the celebration for new opportunities. For Etowah High school students, their opinions on Americas’ commemoration choice is quite varied.
In 2000 B.C., the Babylonians celebrated their first New Years towards the end of March and named it Akitu. However, due to the Julian calendar’s adaptation in 45 B.C., American New Years was claimed on Jan. 1st. The first day of the year then became a festive event of remembrance for the past and excitement for the future.
“Yes, I knew about [New Years’] origins. We have had this celebration for many years and over time, [and] we shaped it into an amazing holiday that many families celebrate,” Shayla Luedtke, freshman, said.
In recent decades, News Years resolutions have become a popular tradition for many Americans. A New Years resolution is a promise to oneself to begin or end specific habits when the new year begins. The most popular resolutions in America typically fall under the categories of living a fuller life, dieting, quitting bad habits, exercising, making money, getting closer to family, and improving mental health.
“New Years’ resolutions are not a part of my tradition. I know that people do it because of ‘new year, new me,’ but why not just start one whenever you want. If I wake up one morning and want to gain muscle, I am not going to wait until the new year starts, I will start setting up a plan then. But I understand it is a good motivation to have a resolution in the new year,” Justin Rich, senior, said.
With Etowah High school’s diverse student population, not everyone celebrates the same New Years’ traditions. For those who do, a small survey showed that the two most popular resolutions were to either quit a bad habit or add exercise to their everyday routines. The least favored options in the survey were improving mental health and dieting.
“Yes, New Years’ resolutions are always a part of my tradition! I usually just write down lists in aspects of my life, such as physical, social, intellectual, and spiritual. I do four or more goals for each thing, and I base them off what I want to change and become better at. Every month I try to do one or two goals because I love the feeling of progressing and becoming a better version of myself,” Breelynn Snyder, sophomore, said.
Whether one has resolutions for their New Year or is just settling in as normal, New Years traditions expand and vary in all different cultures.
