For many of us New Years Day is a time of reflection and hope.
Reflection on the year that passed…
Hope for what the new year will hold…
Here’s to all the wonderful memories of 2012 and upcoming joy of 2013!
Since it’s New Year’s Eve and I’m sure you don’t want to read about insurance stuff today I figured a fun list of 10 New Year’s facts would be a good change.
Enjoy…
1) According to statistics from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, more vehicles are stolen on New Year’s Day than on any other holiday throughout the year.
2) In Italy, people wear red underwear on New Year’s Day as a symbol of good luck for the upcoming year.
3) In Colombia, Cuba and Puerto Rico families stuff a life-size male doll called Mr. Old Year with memories of the outgoing year and dress him in old clothes from each family member. At midnight he is set on fire – thus burning away the bad memories of the year.
4) The Time Square New Year’s Eve Ball came about as a result of a ban on fireworks. The first ball, in 1907, was an illuminated 700-pound iron and wood ball adorned with one hundred 25-watt light bulbs. Today, the round ball designed by Waterford Crystal, weighs 11,875-pounds, is 12 feet in diameter and is bedazzled with 2,668 Waterford crystals.
5) The earliest recorded festivities in honor of a new year’s arrival date back some 4,000 years to ancient Babylon.
6) The early Roman calendar consisted of 10 months and 304 days, with each new year beginning at the vernal equinox; according to tradition, it was created by Romulus, the founder of Rome, in the eighth century B.C. A later king, Numa Pompilius, is credited with adding the months of Januarius and Februarius. Over the centuries, the calendar fell out of sync with the sun, and in 46 B.C. the emperor Julius Caesar decided to solve the problem by consulting with the most prominent astronomers and mathematicians of his time. He introduced the Julian calendar, which closely resembles the more modern Gregorian calendar that most countries around the world use today.
7) Last Roman gladiator competition took place on January 1st, 404 AD.
8) Ellis Island opened for immigration on January 1st, 1892.
9) The first Rose Bowl took place January 1st, 1902. Michigan defeated Stanford 49-0.
10) On January 1st, 1934, Alcatraz became a US Federal prison
There you have 10 fun facts about New Years…
..and only one mentioned insurance (make you sure lock your car tonight btw).
Have a safe and wonderful New Year’s Eve celebration tonight.
Enjoy family and friends and we’ll see you in 2013!!
Thank you,
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