HAPPY NEW YEAR

By our reckoning it is the year 2009, but here are some other calendar dates to ponder.

It is the year 2762 ab urbe condita, or from the founding of the city of Rome.

On the Berber calendar it is the year 2959, but not until January 14th.

It is the year 7517 on the Byzantine calendar, reckoned from the supposed date of creation.

It will be the year 4707 on the Chinese calendar on 26 January.

On the Hebrew calendar the year will be 5770

It is 12009 on the Holocene calendar, supposed from the start of human civilization.

It is the year Heisei 21 on the Japanese calendar, based on the start of the reign of the current emperor.

On the Korean calendar it is the year 4342.

It was 1230789600 in Unix time at the start of this new year, based on the number of seconds elapsed since January 1st, 1970,

Some interesting occurrences for January 1st, 2009

Austria, Japan, Mexico, Turkey, and Uganda assume seats on the U.N Security Council.

The Czech Republic assumes the presidency of the Council of Europe.

Slovakia adopts the Euro as it's official currency.

Same sex marriages become legal in Norway.

Some interesting thoughts

New Year's Day… now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual. ~Mark Twain

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. ~Benjamin Franklin

In the New Year, may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship, never in want. ~Irish Proverb

A parting toast

Go mbeire muid beo ar an am seo arís
May we be alive at this time next year.

Sláinte

~Finntann~