New Year’s is the perfect holiday to make big plans. Celebrate by resolving to learn English in the USA in 2015!
New Year’s Eve Traditions
The New Year holiday has been celebrated around the world for over 4,000 years, with the earliest recorded festivities dating back to ancient Babylonians who celebrated on the spring equinox. In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII established January 1 as the start of the year, which is now celebrated as New Year’s Day in the United States and many other countries worldwide.
Popular American New Year’s Eve traditions include fireworks displays, champagne toasts, playing the “Auld Lange” song, watching the Big Ball drop in Times Square (live or on television) and kissing or hugging friends and loved ones at midnight for luck!
New Year’s Resolutions
Another famous custom is to make resolutions to improve your life in the coming months. This practice also dates back to Babylon, where people would promise to pay off debts and return borrowed tools to appease the gods and obtain favor for the new year. Today over 45% of Americans claim to write New Year’s resolutions, including to lose weight, save more money or learn a new skill (such as a new language!).
Resolve to Learn English in the USA in 2015!
The fresh start of the new year is the perfect time to make plans to learn English in the USA! Learning English in the USA can boost your career opportunities and income, lead to a degree and higher educational possibilities—or just give you the adventure of a lifetime! Why not make 2015 your best year ever by resolving to learn English in the USA?
Fun Facts About New Year’s in the USA
- Since 1907, people have gathered in Times Square in New York to watch the famous ball drop. Today over one million people celebrate the New Year there! The Big Ball weighs 11,875 pounds, is 12 feet in diameter and has 2,688 Waterford Crystals that refract the light of 32,256 Philips LEDs. Put New Year’s in Times Square on your list when you learn English in the USA!
- Hoppin’ John, a traditional New Year’s dish of black-eyed peas, pork, rice and greens originated in the American south from West African slaves, and is still eaten across the country for luck and prosperity (and deliciousness!). You can try the meal when you learn English in the USA.
- The Rose Parade in Pasadena, California began in 1890 to celebrate the state’s mild weather and today features New Year’s Day floats that bear over 18 million flowers.
- Many Americans spend New Year’s (Day and Eve) watching football! Dozens of college teams play each other as millions of people around the country cheer them on.
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