New Year's Eve is a time to reflect on the past year and make resolutions for the coming year. While most people associate New Year's Eve with modern traditions like watching fireworks, making resolutions and celebrating with friends, the origins of this holiday are much older. Here are some interesting facts about New Year's Eve that you may not have known.

The first recorded New Year celebration dates back 4,000 years ago to ancient Babylon in what is now Iraq. According to today's calendar, the Babylonians celebrated their new year at the start of spring—the first Nisan moon—in mid-March.

In 46 BC, Julius Caesar established January 1st as New Year's Day in an attempt to standardize the calendar. Later, Pope Gregory XIII finalized the Gregorian Calendar in 1582, which set January 1st as New Year's Day according to today's calendar. This was followed by many countries worldwide, making this their official New Year's celebration.

In Scotland, people celebrate Hogmanay on New Year's Eve. The tradition dates back to pagan and Viking times and involves singing traditional songs called Auld Lang Syne while celebrating with family and friends.

Times Square's ball drop has been a New Year's Eve tradition since 1907 when it replaced fireworks that were banned by the city two years earlier due to safety concerns. Every year, more than one million people gather in New York City's Times Square to watch the Waterford Crystal ball drop from the top of a flagpole.

The origin of making resolutions for the new year is unclear, but it was popular among ancient Babylonians who would proclaim promises to their gods at the start of each year. The Romans also made promises to Janus, their god of beginnings, gateways, and endings.

No matter how you choose to celebrate New Year's Eve, taking some time to reflect on the past year and look ahead with hope can be an inspiring way to start off fresh.

Winn Technology Group wishes everyone a happy and healthy New Year!