New Year Traditions and History Quiz

Who introduced the Julian calendar, which moved the New Year to January 1st?

• Alexander the Great

• Pope Gregory XIII

• Augustus Caesar

• Julius Caesar

In Spain, what do people eat at midnight on New Year's Eve for good luck?

• 12 olives

• 12 cherries

• 12 almonds

• 12 grapes

What color clothing do people in Brazil wear on New Year's Eve for good luck?

• Red

• White

• Green

• Blue

In the Philippines, what do circular designs on clothing symbolize?

• Love

• Wealth

• Happiness

• Health

What do people in Turkey smash in front of their homes for good fortune?

• Pomegranates

• Pumpkins

• Watermelons

• Coconuts

In Japan, what do the long soba noodles eaten on New Year's Eve symbolize?

• Happiness

• Crossing from one year to another

• Wealth

• Longevity

What do people in Denmark do with plates on New Year's Eve?

• Serve food

• Exchange them as gifts

• Smash them against friends' doors

• Paint them

What is the significance of pigs in some New Year's Eve tables in Austria?

• They represent love

• They are a symbol of health

• They symbolize progress and prosperity

• They are a sign of wealth

What is the traditional New Year's Eve song for English speakers?

• Auld Lang Syne

• Jingle Bells

• Silent Night

• Deck the Halls

Where did the tradition of making New Year's resolutions originate?

• Ancient Rome

• Ancient Greece

• Ancient Babylon

• Medieval Europe