Snow is on the ground, students are getting restless, and teachers are dreaming of lazy mornings in their pajamas- it’s time for Winter Break. This year, break starts on Thursday, December 24th, 2009 and BHS classes don’t resume again until Monday, January 4th, 2010. Many students have big plans for their days off, and are excited for the New Year.
When we return to the halls of Buffalo High School it will be 2010. The celebration of the New Year is one of the oldest holidays in the world- it was first observed in Ancient Babylon, almost 4,000 years ago. The Babylonians correlated the New Year with the first New Moon. Though their celebration lasted eleven days and occurred just after spring began, or the Vernal Equinox.
Thus began a confusing period- where many emperors continually changed the calendars, forcing it to become out of synchronization with the sun. The Roman Senate (under Julius Caesar) finally declared January 1st as the beginning of the New Year in 153 B.C. in order to set their calendar straight. But in order to make it work, Caesar had to drag out the previous year for an astounding 445 days.
The New Year is often considered a time for setting goals, letting go of old baggage and starting over. Many people also watch the annual ball drop in Time’s Square at midnight on December 31st on their televisions. It is also a tradition to create a New Year’s Resolution to try to stick to during the upcoming year. Congratulations to anyone who meets their goal for 2010!
“My New Year’s Resolution is to have more free time because I’m running myself ragged,” admits Senior Michael Bonde. “I’ve had less than six hours of sleep every night for the last two weeks.”
“My New Year’s Resolution is to give everyone a chance, to not judge them differently,” explains Junior Megan Elsenpeter. “Okay, and maybe be nicer to my sister, Jess.”
Photo from pattyappleby.wordpress.com
