December
31
/ 2021
On January 1st of every year, many countries around the world celebrate the beginning of a new year. But there is nothing new about New Year’s. In fact, festivals and celebrations marking the beginning of a new calendar year have been around for millennia. While some festivities were simply a chance to drink and be merry, many other New Year celebrations were linked to agricultural or astronomical events. A New Year Doesn’t Have to Begin on January 1st In Egypt, for instance, the year began with the annual flooding of the Nile, which coincided with the rising of the star Sirius after a 70-day absence. This typically occurred in mid-July and was celebrated with a festival known as Wepet Renpet
