Imagine that New Year's Day was still March 25. The name of the first month, January, derived from the Roman month, Januarius. Both are named for the god Janus. Depicted with two faces looking in opposite directions, Janus was the Roman god of beginnings and endings and of doorways and gates. In much the same way one year's end and the other's beginning provide an opportunity for reflection and anticipation, Janus reminded the Romans to remember the past, even as they looked forward.
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Read an encyclopedia article about New Year festivals. I resolve to read six books this year. Here's one possible list, but feel free to make your own. Riverdeep Interactive Learning Limited. All rights reserved.