New Year's Eve in the USA

It is believed that the Babylonians were the first to make resolutions and celebrate the New Year, and people all over the world have celebrated it in different ways, adapted to each region and country, ever since.

Early Christians believed that the first day of the new year should be spent reflecting on past mistakes and how to improve oneself in the new year. The use of fireworks on New Year's Eve originated in ancient times, when they believed that the noise and fire warded off evil spirits and brought good luck.

It is believed that the Chinese invented fireworks and used them for spectacular effect in their New Year celebrations.

Probably the most famous New Year's Eve tradition in the United States is the New Year's ball drop in Times Square, New York City. At 11:59 p.m., thousands of people gather to watch the ball make its one-minute descent, arriving at the base exactly at midnight.

The tradition began in 1907. The original ball was made of iron and wood; the current ball is made of Waterford Crystal, weighs 1070 pounds (approx. 485 kg), and is six meters in diameter.

A traditional New Year's dish from the southern USA is John-black-eyed peas and ham. An old saying goes, "Eat peas on New Year's Day and have plenty of everything for the rest of the year."

Another American tradition is the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Tournament of Roses parade, which precedes the football game on New Year's Day, features very creative floats made from natural flowers. The first parade was held in 1886.

Americans typically celebrate the New Year with a dinner at home with friends or in restaurants and clubs, around 7 or 8 pm, not necessarily waiting until midnight.