History Daily
Saturday Matinee: Who Smarted?
Jan 4, 2025
Sophie Plitt, a talented voice actor from the trivia podcast Who Smarted, brings a playful perspective on New Year's Eve traditions. The conversation covers quirky global celebrations, like Spain's grape-eating and Italy's red underwear. Listeners will discover the whimsical history of New Year's customs, from Julius Caesar's calendar reforms to the iconic Times Square ball drop. Plus, explore the cultural richness of the Lunar New Year and its delicious dumplings and vibrant lantern festivals. It’s a fun journey through our annual traditions!
17:08
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Quick takeaways
- New Year's Eve traditions vary across cultures, with unique practices like eating grapes in Spain and honoring ancestors in Chile.
- The practice of making New Year's resolutions, rooted in ancient Roman customs, encourages self-improvement and setting specific goals for the year ahead.
Deep dives
Cultural Traditions of New Year's Eve
Various cultures around the world celebrate New Year's Eve with unique traditions. In Spain, it is customary to eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight, symbolizing prosperity for each month of the coming year. Brazilians head to the beach to release candles and flowers in honor of the ocean deity Yemoja, while Italians wear red underwear as a charm for luck and success. Other traditions include Chileans gathering in cemeteries to honor their ancestors, and Turks sprinkling salt on their doorsteps to attract peace and prosperity for the upcoming year.
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