If you were asked some of the things you would find here about January, you would probably not have a response that you could trust.
There is a lot about January, including the fact that it has not always been the first month of the year.
Its position at the start of the calendar is the result of historical, cultural, and political developments that date back thousands of years.
Here’s how January, one of the longest months of the year, became the first month of the year:
The Roman Calendar And Its Early Structure
From my research on how January became the first month of the year, I found that the Roman calendar, created in the 8th century BCE under King Romulus, originally had 10 months and began in March, my month of birth.
The year started with spring, symbolising renewal and growth. This may be biblical, because everything began new.
However, this early calendar did not include January or February. Instead, the year ended in December, followed by an uncounted winter period.
Addition Of January And February
Around 713 BCE, the Roman king, Numa Pompilius, reformed the calendar by adding January and February as the 11th and 12th months, giving the year a total of 12 months.
January was named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings, transitions, and duality. Janus was depicted with two faces\u2014one looking to the past and the other to the future\u2014symbolising the transition from one year to the next.
Despite this change, the year still began in March, aligning with the start of the Roman military campaigning season.
Julius Caesar And The Julian Calendar
In 46 BCE, Julius Caesar introduced the Julian calendar to reform the chaotic Roman calendar system, which had become misaligned with the solar year.
As part of this reform, Caesar officially declared January 1 as the start of the new year.
This decision was partly political. The Roman Senate often convened on January 1, making it a practical time to begin the year. Whether it favoured other nations, that was not their business. They were in power.
Dedicating January to Janus, symbolises a fitting start to the year, looking both backward to the old year and forward to the new.
Medieval Changes To The New Year
Furthermore, during the Middle Ages, the idea of January 1 as the new year was largely abandoned in Europe.
Many cultures and Christian traditions adopted March 25 (Annunciation Day) or December 25 (Christmas) as the start of the year.
This shift influenced by the church’s calendar emphasises religious events over Roman traditions.
The Gregorian Calendar And January\u2019s Restoration
In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar to correct the inaccuracies in the Julian calendar.
The Gregorian calendar restored January 1 as New Year\u2019s Day. This decision aligns it with the Roman tradition and improving the calendar’s accuracy.
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Furthermore, Catholic countries adopted the Gregorian calendar immediately. However, Protestant and Orthodox nations gradually followed suit over the next few centuries.
Why January Makes Sense As The First Month
Astronomical Alignment: January aligns closely with the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. This symbolises a new cycle as days grow longer.
Cultural Significance: Janus\u2019s association with transitions makes January an appropriate month for reflecting on the past and planning for the future.
Practical Reasons: In ancient Rome, January 1 was already significant for administrative and political purposes, making it a logical choice for the year\u2019s start.
Conclusion
January\u2019s status as the first month of the year is rooted in Roman tradition and solidified by Julius Caesar\u2019s reforms.
Despite some interruptions during the Middle Ages, the Gregorian calendar firmly established January 1 as New Year\u2019s Day.
Today, it stands as a symbol of new beginnings. Also, it is inspired by the Roman god Janus and embraced by cultures around the world.