New Year’s celebrations are a major part of American culture. From massive events like the New York City ball drop to small, intimate gatherings that end before midnight, that night is typically a joyous occasion.
In the United States, we often celebrate by partying, watching a countdown, setting resolutions, and watching fireworks. The aforementioned New York City ball drop has been part of the holiday celebration since 1907. Millions of Americans have traveled to New York over the years to be a part of this iconic tradition.
Since then, other states have created their own “ball drop.” Some states have integrated things they are known for, such as the Atlanta, Ga., peach drop. In Illinois, we also have our own “ball drops.” For example, in Peoria there is a family-friendly ball drop at 6 p.m., and in Des Plaines, a large diamond is dropped at midnight instead of a ball. Throughout history, people have always enjoyed welcoming in the new year.
According to the official History website, celebrations can be traced back to ancient Babylon. They celebrated what we today know as March for a reported 11 days. The celebration was the start of spring that they would use to worship their gods and plant crops.
The Julian calendar was created by Julius Caesar, which was meant to solve the issue of calendars falling out of sync with the sun. He is also credited with the creation of Jan. 1st as the official start of the calendar year.
Eventually the Gregorian calendar, the modern calendar used in many countries, was created as a result of Caesar’s. The Gregorian calendar is not the only calendar followed in 2025. There is also the iconic Lunar New Year, which is celebrated on February 17, 2026. The holiday is commonly celebrated throughout many Asian countries, including China, Japan, Vietnam, and Korea.
The Lunar New Year is not recognized as a federal holiday in the United States despite over 20 million Americans reportedly celebrating it. According to Wake Forest University, the Lunar New Year is celebrated with a New Year’s Eve dinner, fireworks, and red envelopes that traditionally contain money, which are given to children, married couples, and the elderly to promote their health and longevity.
