How January 1 became New Year's Day and why resolutions began

Happy New Year! The start of a new year offers a chance to leave behind the aspects of the last year you'd rather forget and start afresh with new goals and aspirations.

But why is January 1 the first day of the year? It doesn’t line up with a solstice, or the start of a season. So what is it about January 1?

The concept of January 1 marking the start of a new year has its roots in the Roman calendar. Initially, the Roman calendar was a lunar system, beginning in March and consisting of 10 months.

However, this system quickly fell out of sync with the sun's position, as the sun takes 365 days to complete its orbit. Consequently, the first calendar rapidly became misaligned.

To rectify this, Julius Caesar introduced the Julian calendar in 45 BCE, a solar-based calendar. This calendar declared January 1 as the first day of the year.

The choice of January 1 was influenced more by cultural and political factors than by astronomical events. January 1 was the day of the consuls’ inauguration in Rome, and it was dedicated to Janus, the god of gates and doors, symbolizing beginnings and transitions.

Janus is depicted with two faces looking both forward and backward. Therefore, this choice was more symbolic than scientific, marking a time of new beginnings and governance.

Although the Julian calendar was solar-based, it wasn’t precisely aligned with the solar cycle, leading to a drift of about 10 days each year. It did not take long for the seasons to no longer align with their expected months.

The adoption of the Gregorian calendar by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 further cemented January 1 as New Year's Day. This reform was designed to solve the inaccuracy in the Julian calendar.

The Gregorian calendar, the one most of the world uses today, more accurately aligns with the Earth's revolutions around the sun, ensuring that seasons occur consistently year after year.

This shift to January 1 as the beginning of the year was not only a matter of astronomical accuracy, but also took on significant cultural and symbolic meaning. It became a time for reflecting on the past and looking forward to the future, setting the stage for the tradition of New Year's resolutions.

New Year's resolutions

Now that you know why January 1 is the first day of the year, let’s get to those resolutions.

The tradition of New Year’s resolutions dates back over 4,000 years to the ancient Babylonians. They are believed to be the first to hold recorded celebrations in honor of the new year, and they made promises to their gods to pay debts and return borrowed objects.

It seems like so many people’s resolutions fail — so is it even healthy to make a resolution or are we just setting up our first disappointment of the new year?

Psychology tells us that the act of setting goals can be motivating. A study by the American Psychological Association reveals that people who explicitly make resolutions are 10 times more likely to attain their goals than those who don't explicitly make resolutions.

However, despite good intentions, only 9% of individuals successfully keep their resolutions, according to a study by the University of Scranton. But that is still much higher than those that don’t set any new year goal at all!

Each year about 45% of all Americans make a New Year’s resolution. The most common reasons for failure include unrealistic goals (35%), lack of a tracking system (33%), and forgetfulness (23%).

According to science, answering the five questions below will help you increase the chances of being successful on your New Year’s resolution. There are no right or wrong answers. Just contemplate each question carefully.

Whatever your resolution is this year — even if it’s to not make a resolution — have a wonderful year!

Mike Szydlowski is a science teacher and zoo facilitator at Jefferson STEAM School.

TIME FOR A POP QUIZ

Identify a specific and achievable goal for your New Year's resolution. What do you want to accomplish this year?

Divide your resolution into smaller, manageable tasks or milestones. What are the steps you need to take to achieve your goal?

Create a realistic timeline for your resolution. When do you want to achieve each milestone?

Decide on how you will track your progress. What method will you use to keep yourself accountable?

Anticipate potential obstacles and plan how to overcome them. What challenges might arise, and how will you address them?

LAST WEEK'S QUIZ ANSWERS

What is the scientific name of the poinsettia, and where is it native to?

The poinsettia's scientific name is Euphorbia pulcherrima. It is native to the forests of Mexico and Central America.

What is photoperiodism, and how does it affect poinsettias?

Photoperiodism is a plant's response to the length of the night, which affects its flowering cycle. Poinsettias are short-day plants, meaning they naturally bloom when the nights are longest. This adaptation causes them to flower in winter.

What are bracts, and what role do they play in poinsettias?

Bracts are modified leaves, and in poinsettias, they are the striking red parts often mistaken for flowers. The actual flowers are the small, yellow buds at the center of the bracts.

How did the poinsettia become associated with Christmas?

The association of poinsettias with Christmas began in 16th-century Mexico, linked to a legend of a girl whose gift of the plant turned red on Christmas. The plant's red and green colors, and its natural blooming in winter, further cemented its connection to the holiday season

What are some tips for caring for a poinsettia after Christmas?

To keep a poinsettia alive after the holidays, plant it in a larger pot to help regulate soil moisture. For re-blooming, the plant requires 14 hours of darkness each night, starting in the fall.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: How January 1 became New Year's Day and why resolutions began