COUNTDOWN TO THE NEW YEAR: BIG EVENTS!
Welcome to the grand finale of the year! December 31st is famous for the epic New Year's Eve celebrations, but tons of history was made on this last day too. From ancient beginnings to bright new inventions, let's see what went down as one year turned into the next!
Did you know that the way we mark the New Year, starting January 1st, was decided by a very famous Roman leader? Julius Caesar set that date so we could honor the two-faced god Janus—one face looking at the past year and one looking forward to the new one! Perfect for our last day of the year!
What Happened on This Day
Julius Caesar Sets the New Year Date
Way back in 46 BC, the super-famous Roman leader Julius Caesar decided that January 1st would officially be the start of the new year! Before this, the Romans celebrated on different dates. He chose January 1st to honor Janus, the god of beginnings and endings, who had two faces—one for looking back and one for looking forward. Talk about setting a schedule!
The Mighty East India Company is Chartered
On this day, Queen Elizabeth I gave a royal charter (basically a super official permission slip!) to a group of London merchants. They became the 'Governor and Company of Merchants of London Trading into the East Indies'—but we call them the British East India Company. This company would grow into a massive power, trading spices, tea, and eventually shaping the history of India. A small piece of paper changed the world map!
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Edison's Light Bulb Dazzles the Public
Imagine walking down a street that suddenly glows! That’s what happened in Menlo Park, New Jersey. Thomas Edison gave the very first public show of his working electric light bulb. Before this, people relied on candles and gas lamps, which were dim and smoky. This demonstration showed the world that a brighter, safer future powered by electricity was possible. Lights on!
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The First Times Square Ball Drop
Forget fireworks! The big, bright ball that drops in Times Square, New York City, every New Year's Eve had its first-ever drop on December 31, 1907. The newspaper owner wanted a huge spectacle to celebrate the new year. The first ball was only about 700 pounds and covered in only 100 light bulbs. Now it weighs nearly 12,000 pounds!
Kandahar Hostage Crisis Ends Peacefully
This wasn't a party, but it had a huge, happy ending! A group of passengers and crew from an Indian Airlines plane hijacked on Christmas Eve were finally freed. After a tense standoff in Kandahar, Afghanistan, the crisis was resolved when the Indian government released three imprisoned militants in exchange for the hostages' safety. Getting everyone home safe was the best New Year's gift!
Fun Facts About December 31
- In Scotland, the first person to cross your threshold after midnight is called the 'First Footer' for good luck!
- In Spain, people try to eat 12 grapes exactly at midnight—one for each chime of the clock!
- In Japan, temple bells are rung 108 times to wash away the 108 earthly desires from the old year.
- Thomas Edison’s light demonstration in 1879 was so amazing, it felt like magic to people used to fire!
A Look Back in Time
December 31st is a bridge day, linking the past to the future, which is why so many traditions revolve around it! In the late 16th and early 17th centuries, major powers like the British East India Company were solidifying their plans for global trade and expansion. Fast forward to the late 19th century, and inventors like Edison were literally lighting up the world, showing off their futuristic tech on this final evening. It’s a day that always feels like a fresh start, whether you are Roman, British, or just waiting for midnight!
Born on This Day
Sir Anthony Hopkins
This legendary Welsh actor has played so many amazing roles, from a brilliant but scary doctor in *The Silence of the Lambs* to a king! He's won huge awards for his acting skills and can play almost any part you put in front of him.
Henri Matisse
Henri Matisse was a super-talented French artist famous for his bold use of color. He was a pioneer of modern art and loved painting bright, happy scenes. Later in life, he became famous for cutting shapes out of colored paper—a fun way to keep creating art!
George Catlett Marshall
Marshall was a top American soldier and statesman who helped guide the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war, he helped rebuild Europe with a famous plan named after him. His leadership was so important, he was called the 'organizer of victory'!
John Denver
This American singer-songwriter loved nature and sang beautiful songs about mountains, country life, and the environment, like 'Take Me Home, Country Roads.' He was known for his gentle voice and his passion for protecting the planet.