I'm sort of a history buff and I found this fun info about New Year's Eve on some different "fun facts sites"-enjoy!
The celebration of the New Year is the oldest of all holidays. It was
first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. In the years
around 2000 BC, the Babylonian New Year began with the first New Moon
(actually the first visible crescent) after the Vernal Equinox (first
day of spring). The Babylonian New Year celebration lasted for eleven
days. Each day had its own particular mode of celebration, but it is
safe to say that modern New Year's Eve festivities pale in comparison.
Not all countries celebrate New Year at the same time, nor in the same
way. This is because people in different parts of the world use
different calendars. Long ago, people divided time into days, months,
and years. Some calendars are based on the movement of the moon; others
are based on the position of the sun. Generally New Years is celebrated
December 31- January 1. People stay up all night December 31 to mark
the passing of the year. There are elaborate parties with music and
dancing. At the stroke of midnight, confetti is tossed in the air,
firer crackers explode, and people make noise and then kiss the person
next to them. New Years party supplies like paper plates, napkins, and
cups are a nice way to complete a New Years Party Theme. Using party
decorations like New Years inflatables, confetti, centerpieces and door
curtains add to the festive atmosphere.
On December 31, 1879, Thomas Edison gives a public showing of his new invention,
the electric incandescent lamp.
For the first time ever, on New Year's Eve 1923, the ancient clock
ornamenting the British parliament is heard outside of London. The
chimes of Big Ben were broadcast by BBC radio to truly ring in the new
year.
