Happy New Year 2022! We’ve tapped the Farmer’s Almanac for a little history on New Year’s Resolutions including 10 Tips on how to make them last all year!
Short History of New Year’s Resolutions
From the Babylonians who resolved to return borrowed farm equipment to medieval knights who would renew their vow to chivalry, New Year’s resolutions are nothing new. See this brief history—and compare the top 10 resolutions from the 1940s to today’s! Are you surprised?
New Year’s resolutions actually go back to ancient times! So, before you pooh-pooh the idea, let’s explore the history behind this tradition.
In 2000 B.C., the Babylonians celebrated the New Year during a 12-day festival called Akitu (starting with the vernal equinox). This was the start of the farming season to plant crops, crown their king, and make promises to pay their debts. One common resolution was the returning of borrowed farm equipment (which makes sense for an agriculturally based society).
The Babylonian New Year was adopted by the ancient Romans, as was the tradition of resolutions. The timing, however, eventually shifted with the Julian calendar in 46 B.C., which declared January 1st as the start of the new year.
January was named for the two-faced Roman god, Janus, who looks forward for new beginnings as well as backward for reflection and resolution. The Romans would offer sacrifices to Janus and make promises of good behavior for the year ahead.
