Red fox sleeping in the snow, Abruzzo, Italy

© marco vancini/500px/Getty Image

Kicking the new year off right. Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2024! Did you stay up late last night to ring in the new year? If so, we wouldn't blame you for sleeping in like this red fox in Abruzzo, Italy. Whenever you wake up, New Year's Day is a great opportunity for reflection, planning, and a sense of renewal for the year that stretches out before us. January 1 has been a big day since the Julian calendar was widely adopted in 45 BCE, and as its use spread across the world—eventually modified in 1582 by the Gregorian calendar to better calculate for leap years. Whether you're taking the day to watch a parade, attend a sports game, take a chilly dip or write resolutions, we hope it's the beginning of a great year to come.