(RNN) - In a couple of days, a ball will drop, corks will pop,
toasts will be made, and resolutions will be declared and, in
some cases, broken immediately. New Year's celebrations date
back at least to ancient Babylon - some 4,000 years ago.
However, the Babylonians, as well as other ancient cultures,
celebrated the new year on the vernal equinox. Thank Julius
Caesar for changing the date to Jan. 1 to honor the Roman god
Janus, the god of new beginnings. True to Roman debauchery, they
threw some extremely non-family-friendly parties to celebrate.
New beginnings are why many people make resolutions, especially
to try to improve one's health, pay down debt, and be a nicer
person. "My family and I practiced random acts of kindness
during the holiday season," Amy Mancuso wrote on WAFB's Facebook
wall. "My goal for the new year is to continue with at least one
a month. It's a little hope to offer in this crazy world we live
in." But before the resolutions are made, many celebrate the end
of one year and the begin