Why is January 1 the start of a “New Year“?! Ever wonder? Humans are generally complacently gullible aren’t we? 🥳
We would like to think it’s all about “science,” or “it’s always been that way.”
But, actually, we all finally came to heel in 1582 – not that long ago!
1. The Roman Influence (Politics over Science)
Originally, the Roman calendar began in March (around the Spring Equinox).
In 153 BCE, the Roman Senate moved the beginning of the civil year to January 1. The reason was purely practical: that was the day new consuls (the Roman leaders) took office. They needed to start their terms early enough to prepare for the military campaigning season in the spring.
2. The Julian Reform (Aligning with the Sun)
When Julius Caesar reformed the calendar in 46 BCE, he kept January 1 as the start. He chose “Janus” as the namesake—the Roman god of beginnings, gates, and transitions, who had two faces looking both backward and forward.
While Caesar wanted the calendar to be solar-based, he didn’t perfectly align New Year’s Day with the Winter Solstice (which usually falls around December 21). Instead, January 1 falls about 10 days after the solstice.
3. Does it have a “Legitimate Science” Meaning?
Accidentally, yes—a coincidence of timing rather than intentional design.
January 1 sits very close to Perihelion: the point in Earth’s elliptical orbit where it is closest to the sun.
• Perihelion 2026: January 3
• Aphelion (farthest point): Early July
Because the Earth’s orbit “precesses” (wobbles and shifts) over thousands of years, Perihelion isn’t fixed to January 1 forever, but for our current era in human history, the New Year almost perfectly marks our closest annual approach to the sun. Give or take a couple of days.
Why did it stick?
For centuries during the Middle Ages, many Christian countries actually moved New Year’s Day back to March 25 (Lady Day) or December 25 to give it religious significance.
It wasn’t until 1582, when Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar, that January 1 was restored as the official start for most of the Western world. This was done to correct a drift in the solar year, ensuring that Easter remained in the correct season.
Not that it matters particularly in this case, but asking questions and looking for real answers is a pretty good habit to get into.
Any excuse for a great light show or fireworks is good enough for me. 🎇
Thanks for the video, Robert Coulson, dear sir!
