Overview
- Julius Caesar’s Julian calendar in 46 BCE fixed January 1 as the start of the civil year across the Roman Empire.
- Earlier Roman practice began the year in March on a 10‑month calendar, with January and February added later, leaving month names like September–December misaligned.
- The Gregorian reform in 1582 corrected the Julian calendar’s drift and re‑established January 1 for Catholic countries, with Britain and its colonies aligning in 1752 after dropping 11 days.
- January is named for Janus, the Roman god of beginnings, whose symbolism underpinned early new‑year promises that echo in modern resolutions.
- A TikTok clip from The Rest Is Science has renewed interest in these origins, including a widely shared 153 BCE consular‑crisis explanation reported in media with limited sourcing, while coverage also notes many cultures keep alternative new‑year dates.