Tag Archives: Julius Caesar

Dec29

Happy New Year!

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Happy New Year!

It’s almost December 31st, New Years Eve, which will bring 2025 to a close. January 1st will then mark the beginning of 2026. But the New Year wasn’t always celebrated on these two days.

In ancient Babylon, thousands of years ago, the vernal equinox in March marked the new year. An eleven day festival was held honoring the god Marduk. In 46 BC Julius Caesar established the Roman calendar honoring Janus, god of beginnings. January 1st was then designated as the start to the new year although many medieval Christians continued to celebrate on other dates. Then in 1582 Pope Gregory XIII established the Gregorian calendar which officially restored January 1st as New Years Day and was then adopted globally. However not all cultures recognize this date, such as those who celebrate Chinese New Year and Jews who celebrate Rosh Hashanah.

While New Years is seen as a time of reflection and renewal, traditions vary. In Denmark plates are smashed and in China firecrackers are lit. The intent is to ward off evil. In Mexico and Brazil, wearing red enhances your chances of finding love while wearing yellow is associated with money. In Mexico and Colombia, walking around the block with a suitcase suggests the likelihood of travel in the coming year. Eating Grapes is considered lucky in Mexico and Spain.

Interestingly enough, the first Times Square ball drop dates back to 1907.Other popular traditions include making resolutions and toasting in the New Year with a glass of champagne at midnight on New Years Eve. And one of the most popular traditions has become the elaborate fireworks displays worldwide.

Wherever you are in the world, and whatever way in which you choose to celebrate, best wishes for a Healthy and a Happy New Year. May 2026 bless you with love, peace and happiness.

Mar10

March 14

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March 14

March 14. Pi Day. The Greek symbol for 3.14 is π, and 3.14 are the first three digits of Pi. It’s hard to believe that a symbol for a mathematical concept has become somewhat of a national holiday celebration. But back in 1988, a man named Larry Shaw was working at The Exploratorium, a science museum in San Francisco. He declared that Pi Day be celebrated on March 14. Years later on March 11, 2009 the U.S. House of Representatives made it official by declaring that March 14 be National Pi Day. Students, teachers, mathematicians and science geeks are very much aware of the significance of Pi Day. I’m not as interested in going into all the detail about circles and calculus as they are. But it’s interesting to note that March 14 is also Albert Einstein’s birthday.

March 14. The Ides of March. This dates back to ancient Roman times when March 14 was thought of as a day of doom and gloom. Bad things happened on that date commonly also associated with a full moon. I first became aware of The Ides of March in middle school when we studied Julius Caesar, a play by William Shakespeare. A soothsayer warned Caesar, a Roman dictator, to “beware The Ides of March.” Sure enough, Caesar was assassinated on March 14, 44 BC.

That’s your history lesson for this month.

On another note, I’m down to my last month in Mexico before I return to Washington state. That means the snow and cold have less than a month to disappear before I get back. I’m afraid that hearing temps have soared up to 50 does not create the enthusiasm for me as it does for Washingtonians. I’ve become accustomed to 80s. At least I have a closet full of warm clothes awaiting me.

Alexa:

What’s the difference between a cat and a comma? A cat has claws at the end of its paws and a comma is a pause at the end of a clause

Have a great Sunday!