The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1921-01-03
New Years Day
in
Many Lands
r EW YEARS DAY is a time. for
thanksgiving and mirth and

happiness, and in some coun-
tries, for the interchange Of gifts. 1t
IS also day which, because it is the
beginning of another year in ones life,
has associated with it certain sa-
credness which often takes the form
of resolutions to do more and better
things than one has ever done before.
1t is appropriate that the series of
IL months should open on the first day
of January, because this is the period
of the winter solstice, the turning
point of the year, the time when earth
begins to be revivified in anticipation
Of the coming Of spring. The ancients
understood this significance and, al
though several changes in their calen-
dar took place before the present date
was made permanent, January list has
been, we are told. the generally &C
copied date since the reign Of the Ro-
man king Numa Pompilius, 672 3. c.
He decreed that the year should begin
as it now does, and added two new
months to the already existing ten.
The first month was named January
in honor Of the god Janus, who was
represented hy the Romans. as having
two faces, this signifying that he was
acquainted with both past and future
events. On this first day it was the
Roman custom to offer to Janus sacri-
fee upon twelve different affairs.
Among the offerings was a cake Of
sifted meal with incense and wine.
The people took every precaution to
conduct themselves so perfectly that
nothing but good might be presaged
for the coming year. Latin writer's Of
the time say that all strifes and diff
ferences ceased at the New Year. The
day was spent in visiting feasting and
exchanging gifts. Indeed. the burden
of giving had become so heavy that
during the reign Of Claudius he felt
forced to limit it by a decree.
In Belgium the children are espe-
cially active on New Years. Their
greatest fun is obtained by secreting
oil the keys belonging to the various
doors of the house. Then they hide
watching, lynx-eyed. from their van
tage ground for the chance to lock up
an unsuspecting parent or uncle or
aunt. When once caught they are not
; freed until they promise a certain for
felt of sweetmeats.
In France it is called ''le jour de
ran"-the day of the year. Merry
making, calls and gifts reign supreme.
Dancing, singing and wine also have
prominence. Candy, not usually al
lowed to French children. is generous.
ly given out. January LIST IS also the
day for family reunions. And in the
early morning hours relatives Of any.
one who has died during the year as
semble at the grave for brief service.
One of the prettiest customs in the
world is that observed at Franfort-on-
the-Main. Many are the gay parties
which gather on New Years eve. and
when the great cathedral clock begins
to chime the midnight ho,-r every win
dow of every occupied house is raised
Each person lifts high glass and
with one voice the whole city cries
out, "Prosit Neujahr." BY the time
the twelfth stroke is reached the win
dows are closed and quiet reigns as
the old year draws its last breath.
In rural parts Of Russia the chill
dren. who have arisen especially early
on this holiday. start out Oh house
toulouse pilgrimage. with pockets
hrimful of dried peas and wheat
Doors are never locked in Russia. so
It is an easy matter to enter. If the
occupants of the house thus visited