New Years Day

New Years Day is celebrated on the first day of the new year in most countries using the Gregorian calendar. Mind you, many of the celebrations begin the evening before, on New Year's Eve. The party includes the count down to the actual change at midnight.

It is celebrated in the Western World with fireworks, parades, special sports events (such as the Rose Bowl football game after its parade), and much food and alcohol consumption.

Symbols are the “Old Year” as an old man passing his duties to the “New Year” baby.

• US #3369 - New Year Baby, issued in 2000 shows year below the (naked) baby with a horn and bell, some party confetti, and wearing an over-sized top hat.

The month of January is named after the Roman god Janus, whose two faces looked backward and forward. It can be a time to reflect on the past year, and plan for the next. Many people make resolutions to change some aspect of their lives, but I suspect few actually succeed with the change.

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