In Ancient Roman times, the year began with March, which explains why September to December are called that (the names translate as Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and Tenth). But at another stage in Roman history, January was the start of the year and it was named after the god of Doorways Ianuarius because it was the doorway to the new year. At what point did the year change from 1 March to 1 January?

Davjack

ttp://wilstar.com/holidays/newyear.htm The Romans continued to observe the new year in late March, but their calendar was continually tampered with by various emperors so that the calendar soon became out of synchronization with the sun. In order to set the calendar right, the Roman senate, in 153 BC, declared January 1 to be the beginning of the new year. But tampering continued until Julius Caesar, in 46 BC, established what has come to be known as the Julian Calendar. It again established January 1 as the new year. But in order to synchronize the calendar with the sun, Caesar had to let the previous year drag on for 445 days. Aug 28 06, 5:17 AM

Gnomon

Thanks! Aug 28 06, 5:58 AM

peasypod

Many Roman officials used calendar tampering as a political expedient. Lunar calendars are always easy to manipulate... Aug 28 06, 6:07 AM

lanfranco

It's interesting to note that in certain parts of Europe, under the Christian calendar, March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation, was long celebrated as the first day of the year. In Wales and England, the change to January 1 was not made until 1752! This can cause some confusion when you're trying to make the "Old Style" years given on old documents match modern reckonings. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Day Aug 28 06, 8:37 AM