View source for New Year's Day

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'''New Year's Day''' in most places is a [[holiday]], the first day of the year in the [[Gregorian Calendar]].

In the United States it is an official Federal holiday, celebrated on January 1.<ref>In accordance with Federal law regarding holidays for the majority of the Federal work force, if January 1 falls on a Saturday the holiday is observed the preceding Friday (December 31), if it falls on a Sunday the holiday is observed the following Monday (January 2).</ref>

Many churches, including the [[Roman Catholic Church]], treat New Year's Day as a religious holy day and time of worship.  Other religions also recognize it as something special:

::''Ways of celebrating differ as well, according to customs and religions of the world. People in Moslem societies, for example, celebrate the new year by wearing new clothes. Southeast Asians release birds and turtles to assure themselves good luck in the twelve months ahead. [[Jewish]] people consider the day holy, and hold a religious ceremony at a meal with special foods. Hindus of [[India]] leave shrines next to their beds, so they can see beautiful objects at the start of the new year. [[Japanese]] prepare rice cakes at a social event the week before the new year.'' [http://stockholm.usembassy.gov/Holidays/celebrate/newyears.html New Year's Day]

In Pasadena, [[California]], the Tournament of Roses is held this day (this event dates back to 1886). A famous New Year's Eve celebration is held in Times Square in the heart of [[New York City]].  It is also a popular day for college football bowl games (at first, all the major bowl games were held on January 1, but in recent years with those games being part of the college football playoff, a group of "second tier" bowls has taken their place).

'''New Year's Thought'''

::''Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.'' Gal 6:9 NIV:

== See also ==

*[[Christmas]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==

*[http://www.educ.uvic.ca/faculty/mroth/438/CHINA/chinese_new_year.html Chinese New Year]
*[http://wilstar.com/holidays/newyear.htm Happy New Year]




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[[Category:Observances]]
[[Category:Holidays]]
[[Category:United States Holidays]]