What you need to know about New Year

The New Year's celebration traces back 4,000 years to ancient Babylon, though it was an 11-day festival held in March to celebrate spring.

The shift to January 1st came from Roman Emperor Julius Caesar, who declared it a national holiday.

The Gregorian calendar, which governs modern celebrations, was introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582.

Today, most festivities begin on December 31st, New Year's Eve.

The tiny Pacific island nation of Kiribati is the first to welcome the New Year, while American Samoa in the South Pacific Ocean is the last.