'Every man should be born again on the first day of January. Start with a fresh page. Take up one hole more in the buckle if necessary, or let down one, according to circumstances; but on the first of January let every man gird himself once more, with his face to the front, and take no interest in the things that were and are past.'
- Henry Ward Beecher
New Year finds its origin in ancient harvest festivals. About four thousand years ago, Babylonians are known to celebrate the first known Babylonian New Year. The day assigned for the purpose was the first New Moon and the first day of Spring. Since then, New Year continues to symbolize signifies regeneration and renewal of life and old and worn out things are thrown out. Making great night at midnight started with the belief that evil spirits looking forward to gain control over the New Year can be flocked out by loud noise and din. The midnight cacophony includes ringing church bells, blowing horns, beating drums, blowing car horns, boat whistles and even beating pots and pans.
People found it logical to make a good start in the coming year and to put aside their bad habits and acquire new ones to make their lives better. The fist New Year resolutions are believed to include the resolve of returning borrowed farm equipments. Even today, people are trying to make a new beginning and pay all debts before the Old Year leaves so that New Year brings in happiness and new joys for them. Since first century to about 400 years ago, Church remained opposed to New Year celebration and festivities as paganism and still at some places, it is observed as Feast of Christ's Circumcision. It was much later that the Western Nations declared January 1 as the New Year day.