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78-568: The Mummers Parade is held each New Year's Day in Philadelphia . Started in 1901, it is the longest-running continuous folk parade in the United States. Local clubs, usually called "New Years Associations" or "New Years Brigades", compete in one of five categories: Comics, Wench Brigades, Fancies, String Bands , and Fancy Brigades. They prepare elaborate costumes , performance routines, and movable scenery , which take months to complete. This
156-620: A charity school in Göttingen that eventually became an orphanage. After completing his studies in the spring 1738, Muhlenberg secured a teaching position at the Francke Foundation's Historic Orphanage. Its director, the theologian Gotthilf August Francke was the son and successor of the Foundation's founder, August Hermann Francke and a professor at the University of Halle . Muhlenberg
234-662: A Christian context is traced back to the Biblical Magi who gave gifts to the Christ Child . In Tudor England , 1 January (as the Feast of the Circumcision, not New Year's Day), along with Christmas Day and Twelfth Night , was celebrated as one of three main festivities among the twelve days of Christmastide . Most nations of Europe and their colonies officially adopted 1 January as New Year's Day somewhat before they adopted
312-464: A convention established by NASA , the Martian year begins on its Northward equinox , the spring equinox of its northern hemisphere. Its most recent New Year's Day (of MY 37) coincided with 26 December 2022 on Earth's Gregorian calendar. New Year's Day of MY 38 will coincide with 12 November 2024. The first of January represents the fresh start of a new year after a period of remembrance of
390-681: A fine and imprisonment. It was apparently never successfully enforced and was repealed in 1859. Henry Muhlenberg , writing in 1839, reported, "Men met on the roads in Tinicum and Kingsessing, who were disguised as clowns, shouting at the top of their voices and shooting guns. By the 1880s, unable to suppress the custom, the Philadelphia city government began to pursue a policy of co-option, requiring participants to join organized groups with designated leaders who had to apply for permits and were responsible for their groups’ actions. The earliest documented club,
468-564: A result of the Spanish Flu epidemic when many public events were cancelled; another occurred in 1934 due to the effects of the Great Depression and a lack of prize money; and 2021 on grounds of the COVID-19 pandemic . As they assimilated to Philadelphia, many immigrant groups have joined the tradition. Numerous Irish immigrants and Irish-Americans from South Philadelphia became involved in
546-484: A specific racial/ethnic group or sexual minority , (week) = week-long holidays, (month) = month-long holidays, (36) = Title 36 Observances and Ceremonies Henry Muhlenberg Bible Translators Theologians Henry Melchior Muhlenberg (born Heinrich Melchior Mühlenberg ; September 6, 1711 – October 7, 1787), was a German -born Lutheran clergyman and missionary. Born in Einbeck , Muhlenberg immigrated to
624-460: A theme presented by the captain, beautiful costumes and props (some people call them floats). Historically, string bands performed mostly in military-drill formations. Harrowgate (now Uptown) String Band's first-prize-winning railroad tunes with Broadway-style dance in 1976 changed that. String-band performances are now the most elaborate of the parade, outdone only by the fancy brigades indoor performances. These bands come from all over Philadelphia and
702-683: Is Wilmington, Delaware -licensed WDPN-TV , known as MeTV 2, which also provides live stream coverage through the website of its sister station WFMZ-TV in nearby Allentown, Pennsylvania . On at least several occasions, the parade has been nationally televised. In 1994 and again in 1995, it was televised by the Travel Channel . In 2009 and 2010, parts of the parade were televised nationally on WGN America and WGN-TV . The parade traces back to mid-17th-century roots, blending elements from Swedish , Finnish , Irish, English, German, and other European heritages, as well as African heritage. The parade
780-610: Is dedicated to Muhlenberg and its other founders. It reads, in Latin, translated into English: "Under the auspices of Christ, Henry Melchior Muhlenberg with his Council, J.N.Crosman, F.Marsteller, A.Heilman, J.Mueller, H.Haas, and H.Rebner, erected from the very foundation this building dedicated by the Society of the Augsburg Confession. A.D.1743." The name of the first church—Augustus—was adopted in honor of Herman Augustus Francke, founder of
858-450: Is done in clubhouses – many of which are on or near 2nd Street (called "Two Street" by some local residents) in the Pennsport neighborhood of the city's South Philadelphia section – which also serve as social gathering places for members. Multiple Philadelphia television stations have aired the parade through its history; beginning in 2023, the latest of these
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#1733085053021936-639: Is inclement), as the expensive and fancy costumes are easily harmed by precipitation or high winds. Each year, there is a festival leading up to the parade called MummersFest. It allows fans to tour the Pennsylvania Convention Center to watch the Fancy Brigades build their props and practice for their New Year's Day reveal. Comics are clowns, many of them well-liquored, in colorful outfits, often with multi-level umbrellas who dance to recordings such as "Golden Slippers". The comics typically start
1014-470: Is interred in the rear of Augustus Lutheran Church, as are his wife Anna Maria and their son Peter. At his request, he was buried next to the grave of his good friend, sponsor, and Augustus Church co-founder, Frederick Ludwig Marsteller. Soon after arriving in Pennsylvania in 1745, Muhlenberg married Anna Maria Weiser, the daughter of colonial leader Conrad Weiser . The couple had eleven children and founded
1092-623: Is related to the Mummers Play tradition from Great Britain and Ireland . Revivals of this tradition are still celebrated annually in South Gloucestershire, England on Boxing Day along with other locations in England and in parts of Ireland on St. Stephen's Day and also in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador around Christmas. Swedes and Finns , early European colonists in
1170-807: The Baby New Year (or the "New Year"), an infant wearing a sash with the new year printed on it. Babies born on New Year's Day are commonly called New Year babies . Hospitals, such as the Dyersburg Regional Medical Center in the US, give out prizes to the first baby born in that hospital in the new year. These prizes are often donated by local businesses. Prizes may include various baby-related items such as baby formula , baby blankets , diapers , and gift certificates to stores which specialise in baby-related merchandise. On New Year's Day in Antarctica ,
1248-631: The Byzantine year, which used the Julian calendar, to begin on 1 September; this date is still used in the Eastern Orthodox Church for the beginning of the liturgical year. At various times and in various places throughout mediaeval Christian Europe , the new year was celebrated on 25 December in honour of the birth of Jesus ; 1 March in the old Roman style ; 25 March in honour of Lady Day (the Feast of
1326-614: The Diocese of Camden and the Catholic League , and WPHL-TV announcing they would not air the skit led to the group's cancelling of the skit and claiming it was just a prank. New Year%27s Day In the Gregorian calendar , New Year's Day is the first day of the calendar year , 1 January. Most solar calendars (like the Gregorian and Julian) begin the year regularly at or near
1404-638: The Kingdom of Great Britain and the British Empire at the time had retained 25 March as the official start of the year, although informal use of 1 January had become common. With the Calendar (New Style) Act 1750 , Britain and the Empire formally adopted 1 January as New Year's Day in 1752 and, with the same Act, also discarded the Julian calendar at the end of Wednesday, 2 September of that same year (though
1482-458: The March equinox . The early Roman calendar designated 1 March as the first day of the year. The calendar had just 10 months, beginning with March. That the new year once began with the month of March is still reflected in some of the names of the months. September through to December, the ninth through to the twelfth months of the Gregorian calendar , were originally positioned as the seventh through to
1560-590: The Muhlenberg Family dynasty, generations of which were active in the U.S. military, politics, academia, and ministry. Among his children, three sons entered the ministry and became prominent in other fields, a fourth, Peter , became a scientist and academic, a Major General in the Continental Army , and later was elected to the United States Congress ; Frederick served as the first Speaker of
1638-723: The Octavius Catto Club, withdrew after receiving last place in the 1929 parade. The brass bands hired to accompany the Comic Brigades often include black musicians, but do not dress in costume and consider themselves session musicians rather than Mummers. By 1964, only one African American mummer, Willis Fluelling, remained. As of 2007, a few of the less traditional clubs, such as Spiral Q Puppet Theater 's West Philadelphia Mummers Brigade, were integrated. The comic "wenches" and other female roles in most skits are typically performed by men in drag. Women were not officially allowed in
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#17330850530211716-822: The Province of Pennsylvania in response to demands from Lutherans for missionary work in the colony. Muhlenberg was integral to the founding of the first Lutheran church body or denomination in North America, and is considered the patriarch of the Lutheran Church in the United States . Muhlenberg and his wife Anna Maria had a large family, and they and their descendants had a significant impact on colonial life in North America as pastors, military officers, and politicians. He and Anna Maria's descendants continued to be active in Pennsylvania and national political life. Muhlenberg
1794-566: The kalends of January and the pontiffs employed intercalation to avoid its occurrence. The Julian calendar, proposed by Julius Caesar in 46 BC, was a reform of the Roman calendar . It took effect on 1 January 45 BC , by edict. The calendar became the predominant calendar in the Roman Empire and subsequently, most of the Western world for more than 1,600 years. The Roman calendar began
1872-459: The northern winter solstice , while cultures and religions that observe a lunisolar or lunar calendar celebrate their Lunar New Year at less fixed points relative to the solar year . In pre-Christian Rome under the Julian calendar , the day was dedicated to Janus , god of gateways and beginnings, for whom January is also named. From Roman times until the middle of the 18th century, the new year
1950-516: The 19th-century cakewalk , dubbed the "Mummers' Strut" or the "2 Street Strut". The first official parade was held January 1, 1901. The first string band, Trilby, was organized in 1898, first paraded in 1902, and last paraded in 2014. In the early years of the official parade, the makeshift costumes of most celebrants were gradually replaced by more elaborate outfits funded by associations' fund-raising efforts. The official parade has been cancelled only thrice during its history. One happened in 1919 as
2028-757: The Annunciation , the date of the conception of Jesus); and on the movable feast of Easter . As a date in the Christian calendar, New Year's Day liturgically marked the Feast of the Naming and Circumcision of Jesus , which is still observed as such in the Anglican Church , the Lutheran Church , the Eastern Orthodox Church (Julian calendar, see below ) and in Traditional Catholicism by those who retain
2106-495: The Benjamin Franklin Parkway as a staging area prior to moving to City Hall to be judged. After the judging, the mummers joined the parade heading south on Broad St. The parade ended at Washington Ave, with some clubs still heading east to Second Street for the unofficial "Two Street Parade". If an all-day postponement is required for foul weather, the parade is usually held the following Saturday (or Sunday, if Saturday
2184-554: The Chain Gang, had formed in 1840 and Golden Crown first marched in 1876 with cross-town rivals Silver Crown forming soon after. By 1881, a local report said "Parties of paraders" made the street "almost like a masked Ball." By 1900, these groups formed part of an organized, city-sanctioned parade with cash prizes for the best performances. Southern plantation life's contributions include the parade's theme song, James A. Bland 's " Oh, Dem Golden Slippers " (introduced in 1903), as well as
2262-611: The English Mummer's play by replacing the character of "King George" with that of "General Washington." Throughout the 19th century, large groups of disguised and sometimes blackfaced working class young men roamed the streets on New Year's Day, organizing processions, firing weapons into the air, demanding free drinks in taverns, and generally challenging middle and upper-class notions of order and decorum. An 1808 law decreed that "masquerades" and "masquerade halls" were "common nuisances" and that anyone participating would be subject to
2340-550: The Gregorian calendar . France changed to 1 January from 1564, most of Germany did so from 1544, the Netherlands from 1556 or 1573 according to sect, Italy ( pre-unification ) did so on a variety of dates, Spain and Portugal from 1556, Sweden, Norway and Denmark from 1599, Scotland from 1600, and Russia from 1700 or 1725. England, Wales, Ireland, and Britain's American colonies adopted 1 January as New Year's Day from 1752. Until Tuesday, 31 December 1751 (except Scotland),
2418-883: The Halle Institutions, whose son, Gotthilf, had persuaded Muhlenberg to accept the call of the three United Congregations in America. Muhlenberg frequently traveled beyond the three congregations assigned to him. During his 45-year ministry, his journeys reached from New York to Georgia . He ministered to the German language populations he was assigned to, and also to colonists from the Netherlands and Great Britain in their native languages. His colleagues requested his help in arbitrating disputes among Lutherans, or in some cases, with other religious groups. Muhlenberg worked to recruit new ministers from Europe and to develop more ministers from
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2496-644: The House in the U.S. Congress after his election to office; Henry, Jr. became pastor of the Zion Lutheran Church at Oldwick, New Jersey ; and Henry Ernst was an early scientist and the first president of Franklin College, which is now Franklin & Marshall College . His daughter Elisabeth married future general Francis Swaine. Maria Salome ("Sally") married the future U.S. Congressman Matthias Richards . Eve married Emmanuel Shulze, and their son John Andrew Schulze
2574-538: The Julian Calendar for ecclesiastical purposes. As 1 January (Julian) equates to 14 January (Gregorian), a religious celebration of the New Year on this date may seem strange to Western eyes. In cultures and religions that traditionally or currently use calendars other than the Gregorian, New Year's Day is often also an important celebration. Some countries concurrently use Gregorian and another calendar. New Year's Day in
2652-452: The March new year continued for some time and there is no consensus on the question of the timing for 1 January's new status. Once it became the new year, however, it became a time for family gatherings and celebrations. A series of disasters, notably including the failed rebellion of M. Aemilius Lepidus in 78 BC, established a superstition against allowing Rome's market days to fall on
2730-507: The Mummers Parade as both Mummers performers and parade goers. Other ethnic groups were soon integrated into the parade through the years. Italian-Americans and Italian immigrants to South Philadelphia began to participate in the Mummers Parade in large numbers after World War II . While South Philadelphia (especially Pennsport ) remains one of the most important centers for Mummers traditions and Mummers members, more recent immigrants to
2808-628: The Old Woman], little deer or iotticos or set tables [for the house-elf, compare Puck ] at night or exchange New Year gifts or supply superfluous drinks [another Yule custom]." However, on the date that European Christians celebrated the Feast of the Circumcision, they exchanged Christmas presents because the feast fell within the 12 days of the Christmas season in the Western Christian liturgical calendar ; The custom of exchanging Christmas gifts in
2886-432: The Philadelphia area, brought the custom of visiting neighbors on "Second Day Christmas" (December 26) with them to Tinicum . This was soon extended through New Year's Day with costumed celebrants loudly parading through the city. They appointed a "speech director", who performed a special dance with a traditional rhyme: Here we stand before your door, As we stood the year before; Give us whiskey ; give us gin , Open
2964-422: The actions are otherwise unrelated). The Act came into effect "following the last said day of December 1751". By 1750, adjustments needed to be made for an eleven-day difference between the older Julian calendar and the newer (and more accurate) Gregorian calendar. There was some religious dissent regarding feast days being moved, especially Christmas Day (see Old Christmas ), and isolated communities continued
3042-522: The alternative calendar attracts alternative celebrations of that new year: The major religions of the Middle East are Islam and Judaism : their adherents worldwide celebrate the first day of their respective new religious calendar years. The two primary sects of Islam are Sunni Islam and Shia Islam . They have different calendars though for both the epoch of the calendar is the Hijrah . According to
3120-585: The brigade. As of 2024, 10 brigades form part of the parade. Wench brigades include: The fancy division is made up of one mother club: Members with some small floats strut in elaborate costumes to music provided by a live band. Prizes are awarded to individuals, trios, juveniles and captains. String bands provide elaborate performances. Limited to unamplified strings, reeds, and percussion, string bands feature banjos, saxophones (alto, tenor, baritone and bass), accordions, double basses, drums, glockenspiels and occasionally violins in musical arrangements tied to
3198-663: The colonists. Built in 1774 in Washington Township, New Jersey , the Old Stone Union Church housed a congregation largely organized by Muhlenberg. His eldest son, Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg , also served as pastor there and served as a major general in the Continental Army. Poor health forced him into limited activity and retirement. On October 7, 1787, Muhlenberg died at his home in Trappe, Pennsylvania , at age 76. He
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3276-490: The coming year. This day is traditionally a religious feast , but since the 1900s has also become an occasion to celebrate the night of 31 December—New Year's Eve—with parties, public celebrations (often involving fireworks shows) and other traditions focused on the impending arrival of midnight and the new year. Watchnight services are also still observed by many. The celebrations and activities held worldwide on 1 January as part of New Year's Day commonly include
3354-567: The door and let us in. Or give us something nice and hot Like a steaming hot bowl of pepper pot ! The Mummers derive their name from the Mummers' plays performed in Philadelphia in the 18th century as part of a wide variety of working class street celebrations around Christmas. By the early 19th century, these coalesced with earlier Swedish customs, including the Christmas neighbor visits and possibly shooting firearms on New Year's Day (although this
3432-450: The eighth day of his life (1 January). The Roman Catholic Church celebrates on this day the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God , which is also a Holy Day of Obligation . Johann Sebastian Bach composed several church cantatas for the double occasion: (federal) = federal holidays, (abbreviation) = state/territorial holidays, (religious) = religious holidays, (cultural) = holiday related to
3510-470: The expense, individual members frequently spend hundreds or thousands of dollars of their own money. To raise funds, many string bands and their members seek paying gigs, particularly in area Fourth of July parades, the annual "Show of Shows" held in Atlantic City each winter, weddings, and other events. Many clubs hold "beef and beers" or 50/50 raffles. Most charge annual dues for membership. As of 2008,
3588-415: The final hours. The parade has been accused of including hate speech, racist, sexist, anti-LGBT, and culturally insensitive costumes, makeup, and images. The wearing of blackface carried over from minstrel shows in the early 20th century. Growing dissent from civil-rights groups and the objections of the black community led to most clubs phasing out blackface in the early 1960s. In 1963, one week before
3666-421: The following: Music associated with New Year's Day comes in both classical and popular genres, and there is also Christmas song focus on the arrival of a new year during the Christmas and holiday season . A common image used, often as an editorial cartoon, is that of an incarnation of Father Time (or the "Old Year") wearing a sash across his chest with the previous year printed on it passing on his duties to
3744-480: The judges present for the scoring of the performances, being televised live. Fancy brigades include: Because of the large number of clubhouses there, South 2nd Street ( Two Street ) often serves as a party location after the parade, with the center of activity being South 2nd Street and Mifflin Street. Local residents and others in the area for the parade crowd the local bars, clubhouses and sidewalks, sometimes joining in
3822-519: The late 1970s, the fancy brigades were simply larger presentations within the Fancies. As the props grew larger, more cumbersome and more vulnerable to wind, rain and snow, the decision was made to move the Brigades indoors, making them a separate event away from the parade providing the finale to a day of citywide celebrations. These brigades have two shows slated in the center, with the late afternoon show, with
3900-457: The longest parade in the U.S. Due to budget cuts, the 2009 parade was shorter, scheduled to begin at 10:00 am and last six and a half hours. Incidents of foul weather have delayed the parade on occasions by several hours, including 2008. On January 1, 2015, the Mummers began their parade route at Philadelphia's City Hall and headed south along Broad Street to Washington Avenue. The Mummers used
3978-461: The mayor's office. In 1996, half of the string bands reported having female members. The bands' captains, though, made it clear to reporters that they did not want to let women in the bands, but felt they had to, due to declining membership. In 2003, word spread that Slick Duck Comic Brigade was working on a skit involving priests chasing altar boys . Protests from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia ,
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#17330850530214056-400: The neighborhood from Asia and Latin America generally have fewer ties to the parade and tradition. While almost all parade participants are currently white, African American mummers existed in the past. The all African American Golden Eagle Club, formed in 1866, had 300 members in the 1906 parade, for example. Judges systematically discriminated against black clubs, however, and the last,
4134-538: The old reckoning to a greater or lesser extent. The years 1800 and 1900 were leap years in the Julian calendar but not in the Gregorian, so the difference increased to twelve days, then thirteen. The year 2000 was a leap year in both calendars. At various stages during the first half of the twentieth century, all countries in Eastern Christendom adopted the Gregorian calendar as their civil calendar but continued, and have continued into modern times, to use
4212-440: The parade began at 9:00 am and ended sometime before 8:00 pm. Fancy brigades performed at the nearby convention center at noon, and in a second, judged show at 5:00 pm. An individual Mummers' strut – a weaving, comical dance/walk with pumping arms held out to the side – may last two or three hours from South Philadelphia to City Hall. The whole parade, at close to eleven hours, may have been
4290-408: The parade until the 1970s. The South Philly Vikings ran Viking Hall in the 1980s and 1990s, the venue today known as 2300 Arena. As of 2008, the parade cost the city over $ 1 million each year, including $ 750,000 for police and parade services and $ 360,000 in prize money. The 2008 budget crisis led the city to propose closing numerous libraries and firehouses and the scaling back of expenditures for
4368-448: The parade, concerned about their image for a nationwide broadcast, the Mummers banned blackface for the parade. Angry Mummers picketed the parade magistrate's home, leading to a reversal of the decision. Concerned about a possible riot, the city called in extra police for the parade. A 1964 city policy officially banned blackface, but some groups have continued to wear blackface into the 21st century over growing protests. However, as of 2017,
4446-471: The parade, many wearing elaborate costumes costing tens of thousands of dollars to make and weighing well over 100 pounds. At one time up to $ 395,000 in prizes was awarded to the various winners. But as of 2010, there are no longer any monetary awards for the performers. The costs for making the outfits plus fees to choreographers and prop designers often far exceed the prizes available. While club fund-raisers, hall rentals, and bank loans often cover much of
4524-484: The parade, offering $ 300,000 for the 2009 parade and nothing for 2010. After the end of city funding for the parade, the Mummers created the "Save the Mummers Fund" to help cover the additional city fees to paying expenses for police and sanitation services during the event. Funding for the parade during the first decade of the 2000s was provided for several years by Southwest Airlines , which also took naming rights of
4602-420: The parade, which was called "Southwest Airlines Mummers Parade." Funding for the 2012 parade was provided by SugarHouse Casino , which renamed the parade to "Sugar House Mummers Parade." In September 2009, The Bacon Brothers musical duo, composed of Philadelphia natives Michael and Kevin Bacon , recorded a special version of their song "New Year's Day" with members of the All-Star String Band. Proceeds from
4680-401: The parade. Themes often gently parody current events and traditional life. Prizes are awarded for floats, groups, brigades, couples, original costume, original character, and juvenile. The comic clubs are: Wench brigades, an offshoot of comics, pride themselves on continuing traditions such as the dress-and-bloomers "suits", painted faces, decorated umbrellas, and live brass bands to accompany
4758-424: The passing year, including on radio, television, and in newspapers, which starts in early December in countries around the world. Publications have year-end articles that review the changes during the previous year. In some cases, publications may set their entire year's work alight in the hope that the smoke emitted from the flame brings new life to the company. There are also articles on planned or expected changes in
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#17330850530214836-425: The sale of the CD went to the Save the Mummers Fund. Additionally, the duo performed a benefit concert for the parade in December 2009. The parade traveled northward on Broad Street in Philadelphia for decades until the 1995 parade when the parade was moved to Market Street due to construction work on Broad Street at the Avenue of the Arts between Washington Avenue and Philadelphia City Hall . After construction
4914-440: The settlers of the region. In 1748, he formed the Pennsylvania Ministerium , the first permanent Lutheran synod in the United States. He helped prepare a uniform liturgy the same year and wrote basic tenets for an ecclesiastical constitution, which most of the churches adopted in 1761. He did much work on a hymnal , published by the Ministerium in 1786. The dedication stone of the Augustus Lutheran Church , above its door,
4992-487: The stake marking the geographic south pole is moved approximately 10 meters to compensate for the movement of the ice. A new marker stake is designed and made each year by staff at the site nearby. The Eastern Orthodox Church , the Anglican Church and the Lutheran Church celebrate the Feast of the Circumcision of Christ on 1 January, based on the belief that if Jesus was born on 25 December, then according to Hebrew tradition, his circumcision would have taken place on
5070-454: The start of the month of January, came to be celebrated as the new year at some point after it became the day for the inaugurating new consuls in 153 BC as a result of the rebellion in Hispania which began the second Celtiberian War . Romans had long dated their years by these consulships , rather than sequentially, and making the kalends of January start the new year aligned this dating. Still, private and religious celebrations around
5148-399: The stroke of midnight following New Year's Eve as the new year starts in each time zone. Other global New Year's Day traditions include making New Year's resolutions and calling one's friends and family. The ancient Babylonian calendar was lunisolar, and around the year 2000 BC began observing a spring festival and the new year during the month of Nisan , around the time of
5226-421: The surrounding areas. With the move of the Fancy Brigades to become indoor theatrical presentations, the band displays today constitute the finale of the morning parade. The participant string bands include the following: The largest category with the largest crews, the fancy brigades march the southernmost portion of the parade route, before heading to the convention center for a ticketed show and judging. Until
5304-423: The tenth months. ( Septem is Latin for "seven"; octo , "eight"; novem , "nine"; and decem , "ten") Roman mythology usually credits their second king Numa with the establishment of the two new months of Ianuarius and Februarius . These were first placed at the end of the year, but at some point came to be considered the first two months instead. The January kalend (Latin: Kalendae Ianuariae ),
5382-400: The unofficial parade. With the parade they spent months preparing for finished, the Mummers let loose and celebrate. This multi-block party continues well into the night or early morning, with some Mummers not sleeping for twenty-four hours straight. In 2009, the city declined to pay for any post-parade celebrations on Two Street. However, Rep. Bob Brady helped secure funding for the event in
5460-423: The usage of the General Roman Calendar of 1960 . The mainstream Roman Catholic Church celebrates on this day the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God . Among the 7th-century pagans of Flanders and the Netherlands , it was the custom to exchange gifts at the winter solstice . This custom was deplored by Saint Eligius (died 659 or 660), who warned the Flemish and Dutch: "(Do not) make visuals, [little figures of
5538-405: The use of blackface is extremely uncommon amongst the parade. In 1985, the South Philadelphia String Band petitioned to use blackface and was denied. In 1987, Philadelphia mayor Wilson Goode had Mummers photos removed from City Hall because the Mummers appeared to be wearing blackface. Saying the Mummers were not in blackface, a petition resulted in the photos being restored, though not near
5616-549: The year on 1 January, and this remained the start of the year after the Julian reform. However, even after local calendars were aligned to the Julian calendar, they started the new year on different dates. The Alexandrian calendar in Egypt started on 29 August (30 August after an Alexandrian leap year). Several local provincial calendars were aligned to start on the birthday of the Emperor Augustus , 23 September. The indiction caused
5694-651: Was born on September 6, 1711, in Einbeck in the Electorate of Hanover , Germany, to Nicolaus Melchior Mühlenberg and Anna Maria Kleinschmid. He studied theology at the University of Göttingen . As a student, Muhlenberg came under the influence of the Pietist movement through fellow students from Einbeck who had worked at the Francke Foundations in Halle , an important Pietist institution. With two other men, Muhlenberg started
5772-420: Was celebrated at various stages and in various parts of Christian Europe on 25 December, on 1 March, on 25 March and on the movable feast of Easter . In the present day, with most countries now using the Gregorian calendar as their civil calendar , 1 January according to Gregorian calendar is among the most celebrated of public holidays in the world, often observed with fireworks at
5850-623: Was common in other countries as well) as well as the Pennsylvania German custom of "belsnickling," where adults in disguise questioned children about their behavior during the previous year. U.S. President George Washington carried on the official custom of New Year's Day calls during the seven years he occupied President's House in Philadelphia. The Mummers continued their traditions of comic verse in exchange for cakes and ale. Small groups of up to twenty mummers, their faces blackened, went door to door, shooting and shouting, and adapting
5928-501: Was completed, the parade returned to Broad Street from 1996 to 1999. For various reasons, the parade was moved again to Market Street in 2000. In 2004, the parade was moved back to Broad Street. In 1997, the Fancy Brigades were moved to the Pennsylvania Convention Center , allowing for larger sets, but limiting audience size. In 2011, the Fancy Brigades returned to the parade. Each year, thousands of people participate in
6006-691: Was ordained in Leipzig in 1739, and served as assistant minister and director of the orphanage at Grosshennersdorf from 1739 to 1741. In 1741, Gotthilf August Francke encouraged Muhlenberg to accept a call from German-speaking Lutherans in Pennsylvania. Accordingly, in 1742 Muhlenberg emigrated across the Atlantic Ocean, where he essentially organized the Lutheran Church as an institution in North America. The Lutheran churches in Pennsylvania had largely been founded by lay ministers. After Nicolaus Zinzendorf
6084-650: Was successful in winning a number of converts to the Moravian Church , the Lutherans asked German churches for formally trained clergy. In 1742, Muhlenberg immigrated to Philadelphia , responding to the 1732 request by Pennsylvania Lutherans. He took charge Augustus Lutheran Church in present-day Trappe, Pennsylvania . He also provided leadership to a series of congregations elsewhere, including those from Maryland to New York , where he worked to secure control over less qualified pastors and started new congregations among
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