On January 1, the international community celebrates the New Year, as well as World Day of Prayer for Peace, World Family Day, Copyright Day, Public Domain Day and Hangover Day.
New Year – 2025
January 1 is not just the beginning of the calendar year, but the moment when the whole world stops to celebrate a new stage of life. In 2025, we meet the Year of the Snake according to the Eastern calendar. It is a symbol of wisdom, transformation, intuition and resilience. The snake represents the ability to adapt, thoughtfulness and deep understanding of the world. This year will be a time for new opportunities, careful decisions and striving for inner harmony.
Celebrating the New Year is inextricably linked with dreams, summing up and plans for the future. People make wishes, spend time with loved ones and hope for the best. Traditional fireworks, gifts and feasting create an atmosphere of joy and togetherness that helps make the day special.
Interesting facts
The New Year, as we know it, began thanks to the Gregorian calendar, introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII. The transition to this calendar corrected the discrepancies between astronomical and calendar years.
The date January 1 became symbolic not because of astronomical phenomena, but because of Janus, the Roman god of beginning and end. This decision fixed the beginning of the new year on this day.
According to the Eastern calendar, the Snake is a symbol of wisdom, introspection and change. This year will contribute to thoughtful decisions, solving difficult issues and achieving harmony in relationships. People born in the Year of the Snake usually have an analytical mind and a strong character.
During the transition to the Gregorian calendar, 10 days were removed: October 15, 1582, immediately followed October 4. This caused confusion, but allowed the calendar to align with the solar cycle.
In Japan, the year begins with the ringing of temple bells, which symbolize cleansing from sins. In Italy, it is customary to throw out old things from the house to let in new energy. And in China, the main attributes of the holiday are red color and traditional dragon dances.
Fireworks are considered a way to scare away evil forces and attract good luck for the whole year. Their bright colors and loud noise symbolize festivity and hope.
World Day of Prayer for Peace
January 1 is the World Day of Prayer for Peace, which unites people around the world around the idea of harmony, forgiveness and compassion. This date is a symbolic beginning of the year when humanity remembers the importance of peace, both external and internal. The founder of this day was Pope Paul VI, who first proposed its celebration on December 8, 1967. His goal was to draw attention to the need to end wars and conflicts through prayer and spiritual unity.
Two years later, in 1969, the UN General Assembly officially recognized this day, gave it the name “World Day of Prayer for Peace” and approved the motto: “Forgive and you will know peace.” On this day, prayers are held in churches and homes dedicated to establishing peace around the world, supporting those suffering from conflicts, and calling for forgiveness and cooperation between nations.
This day is also of great social importance: in many countries charity actions, interreligious events and peace marches are organized. Prayer becomes a symbol of the unity of humanity in the face of common challenges and a reminder that peace depends on each of us.
Interesting facts
The World Day of Prayer for Peace was first celebrated on December 8, 1967 at the initiative of Pope Paul VI. His main idea was to unite people of different religions in common prayer for peace.
In Christianity, on this day they ask for God’s mercy and harmony for all peoples. Buddhism emphasizes compassion meditation, while Islam prays for unity and an end to conflict.
The idea of the holiday is based on the understanding that peace begins with forgiveness and inner peace. Pope Paul VI emphasized that even the smallest step towards peace is valuable for all humanity.
On January 1, peace marches, charity concerts and interreligious prayer services are held in many countries of the world. All of this is aimed at raising awareness of the importance of peace and support for those affected by war and conflict.
This day unites millions of people regardless of religion or nationality. Prayer becomes a universal symbol of unity and hope.
World Family Day
This holiday is dedicated to unity, peace and gratitude for family ties. This date symbolizes the importance of the family as the basis of a harmonious society that unites people of different cultures, nationalities and beliefs.
The holiday was founded in order to remind humanity of the need to value loved ones and build relationships based on trust, support and love. On this day, people gather together to spend time with relatives, express gratitude for family warmth and share the desire for peace and harmony.
The World Family Day reminds us that the family is not only biological ties, but also a spiritual unity that can spread throughout the world, forming a global “human family”. This day encourages everyone to think about the importance of harmony in relationships, both in the family circle and in society in general.
Interesting facts
The day was established in 2000 as part of the celebration of the beginning of the new millennium, when the world united in hopes for a peaceful future.
The concept of the “global family” emphasizes that all people are part of one big family, regardless of nationality, religion or culture.
January 1 is chosen as the beginning of a new year and an opportunity to think about relationships with loved ones and the desire for harmony in the world.
On this day, many families spend time together, arrange joint dinners, organize charity events or simply express gratitude to their loved ones.
This day has a special emphasis on ending conflicts and spreading the idea of peace, which begins with harmony in the family.
This holiday encourages us to consider as “family” not only blood relatives, but also friends, neighbors and people who become part of our lives thanks to trust and support.
Copyright Day
This is a special day dedicated to supporting authors’ rights and recognizing the importance of creativity in society. This event reminds us of the importance of intellectual property, protection of the interests of artists, writers, composers, directors and everyone who creates unique works.
Copyright Day is celebrated to raise awareness of the role of copyright in preserving cultural and scientific heritage. It aims to help authors receive fair compensation for their work, while promoting the dissemination of their work in the community.
Interesting facts
The first copyright appeared in Great Britain in 1710, when the Statute of Anne was passed, the first law in the world that officially protected authors’ rights to their works.
Copyright protects not only books or music, but also photographs, software, theatrical productions, architecture, and even recipes.
In most countries, copyright lasts for the lifetime of the author and for another 70 years after his death. After that, the work becomes public domain.
The Berne Convention of 1886 established international standards for the protection of copyright, which are in force in more than 180 countries around the world.
Every time a work is played on the radio, in the movies or at concerts, the author receives royalties for the use of his work.
In the age of the Internet, copyright has become especially important, as protection against piracy and illegal distribution has become a global challenge.
Public Property Day
This is an event that marks the moment when works whose copyright has expired become available to everyone. This holiday symbolizes the opening of cultural heritage to the public, allowing the free use of literature, music, films, art and other works.
Under international law, copyright generally lasts 70 years after the author’s death. After that, the works enter the public domain, which allows you to use them without special permission, adapt, republish and distribute them freely. This is an important stage in the preservation of cultural heritage and its integration into modern society.
Public Domain Day is an opportunity to remind about the value of an open culture, where everyone can freely use the achievements of the past for inspiration, learning or creating new works.
Interesting facts
The term “public domain” became widely used in the 20th century, although the concept itself existed much earlier. The first works that became public property are classical music, works of ancient authors, and ancient art.
Every year on January 1, the list of works that become public property is updated. For example, in 2025, the works of authors who died in 1954 may become public property.
Having become public property, the work can be adapted, published, and new works can be created based on it without restrictions. This contributes to the development of culture and art.
Public property already includes the works of Shakespeare, Beethoven, Dante, as well as many folk songs and fairy tales. This allows their adaptations to exist in a wide variety of forms.
The public domain stimulates creativity in all spheres: literature, cinematography, music. For example, many modern films and books are based on classic works that are already in the public domain.
The availability of works in the public domain allows them to be used free of charge in education, popularization of culture, and preservation of historical heritage.
Hangover day
This is an unofficial but well-known holiday that symbolizes the consequences of the boisterous celebrations of the New Year. This day is dedicated to recovery after New Year’s Eve, when large-scale feasts, parties and fireworks traditionally take place.
Hangover Day is a reminder of the importance of moderation in celebration, as well as how to take care of your health after a big feast. It has also become a source of jokes and humor in many countries, because most people associate this day with a desire for peace, rest and recovery.
Interesting facts
Hangover Day arose as a reaction to the habit of celebrating the New Year with a lot of food and drink. This is a kind of “feedback” for a night of fun.
On this day, many people choose a “lazy rest”: watching movies, enjoying leftovers from holiday meals, or simply sleeping most of the day.
In many countries, Hangover Day is a joke. For example, people share funny stories about their New Year’s Eve or come up with “New Year’s resolutions” not to overdo it with alcohol.
Among the most popular ways to fight a hangover are drinking a lot of water, herbal tea or special cocktails to restore energy.
In many cultures, January 1 is also considered a day to cleanse and prepare for the new year. Therefore, Hangover Day is often associated with the desire to “start with a clean slate.”
With the development of memes and social networks, Hangover Day has become a popular topic for jokes and creative content that appears on the Internet every January 1st.
Historical events on this day
January 1 is not only the beginning of the calendar year, but also the day when numerous events took place that influenced the history of mankind.
154 BC — in Ancient Rome, the start of the annual consulate was officially moved to January 1.
104 BC – the Roman consul Gaius Marius led the captured king of Numidia, Jugurtha, through Rome, demonstrating the victory of the Roman Empire.
45 BC — the introduction of the Julian calendar in Rome. This calendar, developed by the Egyptian astronomer Sosygenes at the behest of Julius Caesar, arranged the year according to the solar cycle.
89 year — Lucius Antonius Saturninus became the emperor of Rome, which caused a brief but unsuccessful rebellion.
1622 year — the papal office officially declared January 1 as the beginning of the new year.
1785 year — the first issue of The Daily Universal Register, which became known as The Times in 1788, was published in London.
1863 year — US President Abraham Lincoln signed the manifesto on freeing slaves, which became a key event in the struggle for human rights in America.
1873 year — Japan officially adopted the Gregorian calendar, which became part of its modernization and integration into the Western world.
1877 year — Queen Victoria of Great Britain is proclaimed Empress of India.
1886 year — Great Britain completed the capture of Burma, annexing it to its empire.
1901 year — Australia received the status of a dominion of the British Empire, which was a step towards its independence.
1909 year — the first payment of pensions was made in Great Britain.
1919 year — The UNR Directory adopted the law on the autocephaly of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, emphasizing the independence of the religious life of Ukraine.
1935 year — Surnames were introduced and titles were abolished in Turkey, which became an important stage in the modernization of the country.
1942 year — in Washington, the allies of the anti-Hitler coalition signed the Declaration of the United Nations, which became the basis for the creation of the modern UN.
1950 year — according to the American “Trojan” plan, a nuclear war against the USSR was supposed to begin on this day, but the plan was canceled due to lack of readiness.
1954 year — the first national color television broadcast took place in the USA, which marked a new era for television.
1959 year — the victory of the Cuban revolution, which brought Fidel Castro to power.
1973 year — Great Britain, Ireland and Denmark joined the European Union.
1976 year — the crash of a Boeing 720 near El Qaisuma (Saudi Arabia) due to a terrorist attack, as a result of which 81 people died.
1978 year — Boeing 747 plane crash near Bombay (India), resulting in the death of 213 people.
1983 year — the Arpanet network changed the main protocol to TCP/IP, which became an important step towards the creation of the modern Internet.
1993 year — The Czech Republic and Slovakia officially became independent states after the “velvet divorce”.
1995 year — Austria, Finland and Sweden joined the European Union. The World Trade Organization (WTO) also started its work.
1999 year — the euro zone was created, and the euro was introduced into cashless payments.
2000 year — Turkmenistan switched from the Cyrillic alphabet to the Latin alphabet.
2007 year — Bulgaria and Romania joined the European Union.
2013 year — at least 60 people died in a stampede at a stadium in Cote d’Ivoire after New Year’s fireworks.
2017 year — an attack on a night club in Istanbul, as a result of which 39 people died.
