WOW !!! What other game site can one go to and get educated on the history of celebratory occasions. I guess any that have forums and blogs on it. But I always enjoy the conversation that makes me think. That is very important to all of us, to think. This is something that we all can do on our own without someone telling us how to think or what to think. But it is always someone with some food for thought that is necessary to get people to think. But you know ? I am encouraged by the turn of events the last few days, I won't say what that is because I think everyone knows where I stand and I've learned that this isn't the forum for that. But I am encouraged that people got together and stood up for what they THOUGHT ! So there is a newfound faith in the people here in the world when it comes to the act of thinking. That is what separates us from the animal kingdom along with the ability of linguistics. Because we've become just as predatory on each other as they are. We've come to exploit our differences, for what ? So we don't have to think...

New Year's celebrations have been going on a long, long time. Something around 4,000 years or so. You have to back to old Mesopotamia to get the gist of the revelry.

The Romans called the day's celbration "Saturnalia" and what fine parties were held during the festival! Feasting, orgies, animal sacrifice, and any summer wine left over was polished off. Sounds like Detroit after a Redwings win.

Coming as it did on the heels of the winter solstice, I suppose the Romans felt that the Pagans were having all the fun and decided to borrow the Mesopotamian/Babylonian party slot to keep folks from changing party affiliation.

Next time you're bored, study a little Mesopotamian. They came up with all kinds of cool things long before anybody else. In fact there wasn't a lot of anybody else around to come up with this stuff in the first place, so they get the credit for recording their findings. Read their story of Creation. Then read Genesis.

The practice of plagerism has been around for a long time, eh?

They were the first to use: the wheel, the sail, a written language system, math, astronomy, and time as a system of dividing days into little chunks.

Oh, what ever happened to Mesopotamia, Babylon, Sumeria?

We are currently bombing the crap out of it.

I like to call it 'Iraq'.

I knew that.

No I didn't

hahaha ok show's i dont know much about old school music.

John Sinclair is a Beatles song... :) LOL

Well, nobody. But thank you Mr. Sinclair for asking.

who is famous in your ancestry?

I might have famous ancestors too. Not that anyone cares.

I don't know i would have to do more research on my family history. I have understood that even when a last names is spelt the same doesn't mean we are related. I don't think i am but i would have to check to know for sure. I was curious at one time of where our holidays came from so i did the research to find out. I am glad you enjoyed the extra info.

Thank you to all who have posted on this, especially Ian_Sinclair on the history of these celebrations. It's always nice to see those who keep things in perspective. Ian, any relation to John Sinclair ?

9x would be a great writer. It's unanymous. We need more bloggage to look forward to bro. You have fans, face it.

see what did i tell you nickel agrees with me you are and would make a great writer or journalist . happy holidays to you X your bud Ted.

Did you know that Halloween use to be called Hallows eve? And it was in celebration of the saints? and it was for their day?  Later other traditions mixed things up and we have something that has nothing to do with the original purpose of what it stood for. Christmas was once know as Christ-mass. because people would go to church (Catholic mostly) to celebrate the birth of Christ. Of course it got mixed up with fantasy and other traditions also over time. New Years Eve come from a roman tradition, where they celebrated a god, cant remember his name. But this god was suppose to bring good fortune to those who were cheerful and happy and bad fortune to those who were not.

Dear 9x,

            A nice posting. A tad early perhaps, but I dont mind. This holiday season will be more about love than presents, and it'll be a blessing. The best to you & yours my friend, z

  P.S. My first holiday season as a non-riff or raff!

HI... You should have been a journalist, you write well!

Thanks for playing in my tournament, I meant to write you after our last game but got busy...

Anyway happy holidays!!!   Al