People have been celebrating New Years for at least four millenia. The earliest celebration of the new year dates back 4,000 years to ancient Babylon. In ancient Babylon the start of the new year wasn't January 1st. Actually the first new moon following the vernal equinox was the start of their new year. That usually was around march. To celebrate they had a religious festival called Akitu which lasted 11 days. During this time the Babylonians usually crowned the new king or the current king's rule was renewed.
In ancient Rome the new year was marked on the beginning of the vernal equinox. Also their calendar was only 10 months and was created by Romulus,the founder of rome,in the 8th century.Then Numa Pompilius added Januarius and Febuarius. Later on Julius Caesar decided that January first should be the day of the new year. The reason being to honor the Roman god of beginnings Janus. They also made sacrifices to Janus and attended parties.
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