New-year's Day, the first day of the year. The custom of celebrating by some religious observance, generally accompanied by festive rejoicing, the first day of the year, appears to have prevailed among most of the ancient nations. The Jews, the Egyptians, the Chinese, the Romans, and the Mohammedans, although differing as to the time from which they reckoned the commencement of the year (see CALENDAR, CHRONOLOGY, YEAR), all regarded it as a day of special interest. On the establishment of Christianity the usage of a solemn inauguration of the New Year was retained; but considerable variety prevailed, both as to the time and as to the manner of its celebration. Christmas Day, the Annunciation (25th March), Easter Day, and 1st March have all, at different times or places, shared with the 1st of January the honour of opening the New Year; nor was it till late in the 16th century that the 1st of January was universally accepted as the first day of the New Year. The early Fathers—Chrysostom, Ambrose, Augustine, Peter Chrysologus, and others—in reprobation of the immoral and superstitious observances of the pagan festival, prohibited in Christian use all festive celebration; and, on the contrary, directed that the Christian year should be opened with a day of prayer, fasting, and humiliation. The festal character of the day, however, generally was preserved, though the day was also observed as a day of prayer.
From the earliest recorded celebration, we find notice of feasting and the interchange of presents as usages of New-year's Day. Suetonius alludes to the bringing of presents to the capital; and Tacitus makes a similar reference to the practice of giving and receiving New-year's gifts. This custom was continued by the Christian kingdoms into which the western empire was divided. In England we find many examples of it, even as a part of the public expenditure of the court, so far down as the reign of Charles II.; and, as all our antiquarian writers mention, the custom of interchanging presents was common in all classes of society. In England, as in Germany, this custom has been largely eclipsed by the still more popular practice of Christmas gifts (see CHRISTMAS); in Scotland, as in France and Italy, New-year's Day is still the day most observed, and the festival according to Old Style, twelve days later, still lingers in corners of the country. In some parts of the United States and Canada gentlemen are exceptionally industrious in making social calls on the first day of the year. In many countries the night of New-year's Eve, 'St Sylvester's Eve,' was celebrated with great festivity, which was prolonged till after twelve o'clock, when the New Year was ushered in with congratulations, complimentary visits, and mutual wishes for a happy New Year; this is an ancient Scottish custom (see HOGMANAY). In many places the practice of tolling bells till midnight, and then 'ringing in the New Year,' is still observed. Many religious communions are wont to celebrate it with a special service or 'watch night.' In the Roman Catholic Church New-year's Day is a holiday of strict obligation. See Chambers's Book of Days.