New Year's Day

[Explorer-8]

I have been trying to find out the history of New Year's Day in Britain, but I need some help in filling in the gaps because what I could find in my books and on the internet doesn't do this. If we start with ancient Britain, the Celtics celebrated New Year's Eve on October 31st (Samhain or Halloween). I found out that the Christmas style of dating New Year on December 25th lasted until the 13th century, but I can't fill in the gap of when October 31st was changed to January 1st, or when that was changed to December 25th. I read that the Julian calendar was introduced in the 13th century when New Year's Day became March 25th. In 1752, Britain adopted the Gregorian calendar and so New Year's Day was "Switched back to January 1st". Where does the "switched back to January 1st" come from? I can't fill that gap wherever I've looked.

[Buenchico]

See 'Years' here, to see that 1st January became the start of a new year, in the Roman calendar, in 153 BC
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_calendar
and here to confirm that the practice was continued, under the Julian calendar, from 45 BC:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_calendar
Note particularly the section on 'New Year's Day' in that link. It shows that Samuel Pepys recognised 1st January as the start of a new year, even though he also accepted that the 'official' new year started on the 25th March.

Millions of people in this country still continue to recognise more than one date as the start of a new year. For example, there will probably be many Jews among those celebrating New Year on 31st December/1st January, despite the fact that they will have also celebrated Rosh Hashanah in September. Similarly, members of the Chinese community aren't barred from the celebrations on 31st December simply because they've got another new year starting on 23rd January. Such people (like Pepys) simply accept that the 'official' start of a year doesn't have to tie in with their own traditions.

Chris

[jno]

the tax year still starts in April, though everyone else seems to be on-message.

There's a bit more information here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Year%27s_Day

[oldbillbuck]

Looks like cocosweeting has tried to use an answer posting for her advert rather than a question posting. Always tell when its their first posting after signing up to AB

[puternut]

oldbillbuck - actually their second - reported

[dotty.]

if you are doing research into parish registers it is important to remember that the ecclesiastical new year changed to jan 1st from march 25th in 1751/52 and so for that short period the records can create problems with research.

[Explorer-8]

Thanks Buenchico.

[Explorer-8]

Thanks Jno.