Two options maintain the calendar and make the adjust of all holidays to the solstice. Or change the dates of the holidays on the calendar. The nature of a year remains the same.
Since Memorial Day and Labor Day represent the beginning and end of summer, why isn’t Memorial Day on the Summer Solstice and Labor Day on the Autumnal Equinox?
Why isn’t the New Year March 25th like it used to be? It’s not only the Annunciation, but the downfall of Sauron.
Or, to put it another way: Is there a point to this?
There is nothing special about religious holiday dates, they have all been moved around to accommodate the needs / whims of various kings and or church officials.
Thanks to climate change, we don’t have to move it anywhere to experience this. I can’t remember the last White Christmas I’ve had now in the midwest, yet someplace like Seattle gets it this year. Bizarre!
It all depends and it is complicated. Christmas is December 25 because it is 9 months before March 25 (The Annunciation) for Reasons. It was also when the Spring Equinox was in the 4th century when dates were established (The first Sunday after the first full moon after the Equinox).
If you move the current Calendar so that Jan 1 in the first week after the equinox, of course all annual events will get messed with. If you create a new Calendar (Ala the French Revolutionary Calendar), Christmas will still be observed ~five days after solstice. Regardless of whether you are Old or New calendar.
Having already gotten feedback from the eight year old next door about who he thinks is in charge and whether or not they’re screwing up (see Monday comments section), I’ll be sure to poll him after school later on about his opinions on the placement of the new year as well as the back catalogs of Irving Berlin and Bing Crosby.
January 1 was settled upon when there were only 10 months and 304 days in the year. From Janus the 2 faced God who looked into the past and into the future simultaneously.
Cactus-Pete over 2 years ago
No, Christmas would end up in January.
GreasyOldTam over 2 years ago
In “White Christmas”, the singer is actually in Beverly Hills.
eromlig over 2 years ago
I was raised in Seattle, where we sang it as “I’m Dreaming Of A Wet Christmas.”
Bilan over 2 years ago
Why does Jef have an obsession about starting the year on the Winter Solstice?
rshive over 2 years ago
Hard to write songs about a misty, foggy Christmas.
sandpiper over 2 years ago
Chip shot. Considering Crosby et al owned a figurative half of California, doubt he would be reading the help-wanted columns.
saylorgirl over 2 years ago
Is this conversation ever going to stop?
WilliamWilliam over 2 years ago
Two options maintain the calendar and make the adjust of all holidays to the solstice. Or change the dates of the holidays on the calendar. The nature of a year remains the same.
Mugens Premium Member over 2 years ago
Considering it was in the high 50’s to mid-60’s here in Northern Virginia Christmas Day, bumping Christmas back wouldn’t be necessary.
goboboyd over 2 years ago
Der Bingle would doff his Trilby, light his pipe, and be patient.
Ignatz Premium Member over 2 years ago
Since Memorial Day and Labor Day represent the beginning and end of summer, why isn’t Memorial Day on the Summer Solstice and Labor Day on the Autumnal Equinox?
Why isn’t the New Year March 25th like it used to be? It’s not only the Annunciation, but the downfall of Sauron.Or, to put it another way: Is there a point to this?
Tallguy over 2 years ago
Second job?
Bruce1253 over 2 years ago
There is nothing special about religious holiday dates, they have all been moved around to accommodate the needs / whims of various kings and or church officials.
sTim Premium Member over 2 years ago
Thanks to climate change, we don’t have to move it anywhere to experience this. I can’t remember the last White Christmas I’ve had now in the midwest, yet someplace like Seattle gets it this year. Bizarre!
Teto85 Premium Member over 2 years ago
Probably. Changing the date of winter would not have prevented the car crash killing Berlin’s son which proved to be the spark for the song.
garysmigs over 2 years ago
why wouldn’t it be 10 days, not getting the two weeks thing…
Not the Smartest Man On the Planet -- Maybe Close Premium Member over 2 years ago
I realize it’s tough to come up with material for a daily comic strip, but this storyline is getting old, fast.
MITZI over 2 years ago
I’m more interested in the yellow button Frazz is wearing.
pyotr576 over 2 years ago
It all depends and it is complicated. Christmas is December 25 because it is 9 months before March 25 (The Annunciation) for Reasons. It was also when the Spring Equinox was in the 4th century when dates were established (The first Sunday after the first full moon after the Equinox).
If you move the current Calendar so that Jan 1 in the first week after the equinox, of course all annual events will get messed with. If you create a new Calendar (Ala the French Revolutionary Calendar), Christmas will still be observed ~five days after solstice. Regardless of whether you are Old or New calendar.
On the third hand ….
Ubermick over 2 years ago
Having already gotten feedback from the eight year old next door about who he thinks is in charge and whether or not they’re screwing up (see Monday comments section), I’ll be sure to poll him after school later on about his opinions on the placement of the new year as well as the back catalogs of Irving Berlin and Bing Crosby.
blah_duh over 2 years ago
Bing’s second job was advertising orange juice.
Lana M. over 2 years ago
Scherzo! Where are you?
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] over 2 years ago
https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/new-years
January 1 was settled upon when there were only 10 months and 304 days in the year. From Janus the 2 faced God who looked into the past and into the future simultaneously.
DaBump Premium Member over 2 years ago
No, Christmas would just be the FIRST big holiday of the year, not the last. (Not counting New Years day itself, of course)