<Li> Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, is celebrated by Jews in Israel and throughout the world . The date is not set according to the Gregorian calendar, but it always falls during September or October . The holiday is celebrated by religious services and special meals . The night of December 31 / January 1, the New Year according to the Gregorian calendar, is also celebrated widely in Israel and is referred to as Sylvester or the civil new year . </Li> <P> January 1 represents the fresh start of a new year after a period of remembrance of the passing year, including on radio, television, and in newspapers, which starts in early December in countries around the world . Publications have year - end articles that review the changes during the previous year . In some cases publications may set their entire year work alight in hope that the smoke emitted from the flame brings new life to the company . There are also articles on planned or expected changes in the coming year . </P> <P> This day is traditionally a religious feast, but since the 1900s has also become an occasion to celebrate the night of December 31, called New Year's Eve . There are fireworks at midnight at the moment the new year arrives (a major one is in Sydney, Australia). Watchnight services are also still observed by many . </P> <Ul> <Li> In European countries, the New Year is greeted with private fireworks . </Li> <Li> On New Year's Day, people in certain countries gather on beaches and run into the water to celebrate the new year . In Canada, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Netherlands this is very popular . These events are sometimes known as polar bear plunges, and are sometimes organized by groups to raise money for charity . Polar Bear Clubs in many Northern Hemisphere cities near bodies of water, have a tradition of holding organized plunges on New Year's Day . </Li> </Ul>

When did new year's become a holiday