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Friday, January 2, 1998 Published at 15:18 GMT



Talking Point

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Merry Christmas to all our readers. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have contributed to Talking Point since we launched in November.

For much of the world, January 1st marks the New Year. In Britain it's traditional to make a New Year resolution promising to accomplish something difficult in the year ahead.

But January 1st wasn't always New Year's Day in Britain. In the early Middle Ages, the year began on Christmas Day (December 25). But in the 12th century the English Church began to calculate the New Year from Lady Day (March 25th). The present Gregorian calender was introduced in Britain in 1752.

Is it worth making New Year resolutions?

Making a New Year resolution serves only to point out one's own flaws...
Gideon Stargrave, USA

I think New Year's resolutions are a good idea ...
O Whitfield, UK

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