History Daily Podcast Summary

Episode Title: Saturday Matinee: Who Smarted?
Release Date: January 4, 2025
Host: Lindsay Graham
Produced by: Airship | Noiser | Wondery

Introduction

In the episode "Saturday Matinee: Who Smarted?" hosted by Lindsay Graham, History Daily delves into the rich tapestry of New Year's Eve traditions around the world. The episode explores the origins of these customs, the historical significance of New Year's resolutions, and how various cultures celebrate the transition into the new year. Through engaging narratives and historical insights, Graham unpacks why New Year's Eve holds such a pivotal place in global traditions.

New Year's Eve Traditions Around the World

The episode begins by highlighting the diverse ways different cultures celebrate New Year's Eve, each imbued with unique symbolism and intentions for the coming year.

• Spain: The 12 Grapes Tradition

  At [03:39], a Spanish speaker explains, "In Spain, we eat 12 grapes, one for each strike of the midnight clock. Hopefully, it will bring us prosperity and good fortune in the New Year."

• Brazil: Offerings to Yemoja

  At [03:53], the narrator describes Brazil's tradition: "In Brazil, citizens head to the beach setting candles and flowers afloat. A gift to an ocean deity known as Yimoja. They wish for this mother of all deities and giver of life to bestow her blessings upon them in the year to come."

• Italy: Red Underwear for Luck

  At [04:14], an Italian speaker shares, "In Italy, we wear red undies for luck and success next year. Feliz Anno Nuovo."

• Chile: Cemeteries as Festive Grounds

  At [04:26], the narrator notes, "Citizens of Chile gather in cemeteries. This way they can include their ancestors in the New Year's Eve festivities."

• Greece: Onions and Salt for Prosperity

  The Greek speaker adds humor at [04:45], "In Greece, we promote growth and renewal by hanging onions on our doors," followed by a Turkish speaker at [04:51], "In Turkey, they sprinkle salt on their doorsteps at midnight to promote peace and prosperity."

• Denmark: Plate Smashing for Luck

  At [04:51], the narrator explains Denmark's unique custom: "In Denmark, people smash plates against their neighbors' doors as a way to leave aggression, frustration, and other angry feelings behind. Some say the bigger the pile of broken dishes, the more luck will come their way."

These varied traditions underscore the universal desire to start the new year with positivity, prosperity, and the shedding of past negativities.

Making Resolutions: Tradition and Transformation

New Year's resolutions are a cornerstone of the holiday, yet many struggle to maintain them. The episode addresses this phenomenon comprehensively.

• Common Resolutions and Challenges

  At [07:22], the narrator lists typical resolutions: "Get better grades. Practice piano more. Stop fighting with siblings. I love you playing less Minecraft, recycle and be more eco-friendly." However, at [08:00], the statistic is revealed: "90% of people break their New Year's resolution at some point during the year, and more people break their resolution on February 1st than any other day."

• Introducing SMART Resolutions

  To combat this, the narrator introduces the SMART framework at [08:13]: "The first step is to make your resolution SMART. S for specific, M for measurable, A attainable, R relevant, and T time-bound."

  A practical example is given at [08:48]:

  • Specific: "I resolve to practice my soccer shooting every Wednesday for a half an hour until the season starts."
  • Measurable: "Is your soccer shot getting harder and more accurate?"
  • Attainable: "You can fit a half-hour of practice into your schedule."
  • Relevant: "It's relevant to improving your overall soccer playing."
  • Time-Bound: "You have an end time set for soccer season."

  The narrator emphasizes flexibility: "If you miss a Wednesday, that's okay. Just make it up or do it the following week. You don't have to be perfect. The important thing is putting a plan in place."

Historical Origins of New Year's Resolutions

Understanding the roots of New Year's Eve celebrations adds depth to their significance.

• Janus: The Two-Faced God

  At [09:54], the narrator connects the tradition to ancient Rome: "The tradition of making New Year's resolutions dates way back to 153 BC. The month of January was named for the Roman God Janus, a God with two faces, one looking forward towards the future and one looking backwards towards the past."

  A humorous reenactment occurs at [10:14], highlighting Janus's role in forgiveness and intention-setting: "Since Janus represented resolving past wrongs and setting intentions for the future, the tradition of the New Year's Resolution was born."

• Global New Year Dates and Calendars

  The episode explores various cultural New Year dates, demonstrating the diversity of time-keeping before global synchronization:

  • Rosh Hashanah: The Jewish New Year, lasting 10 days in September.
  • Chinese New Year: Based on the lunar calendar, featuring festivities like dragon dances and lantern festivals.
  • Tibetan New Year, Nowruz, and others: Celebrated across different months and cultures, each with unique traditions.

  At [12:55], the narrator explains, "All those calendars were created throughout history, before people from different regions, countries, or continents could easily communicate."

• Evolution of the Calendar

  The discussion transitions to the development of the Julian calendar at [15:08], where Julius Caesar's influence is humorously portrayed: "Thus, in 46 BC, the Julian calendar was adopted, and each year was a standard 365 days and 12 months."

The Times Square Ball: A Symbol of New Year's Eve

The iconic Times Square Ball is a central figure in New Year's celebrations, and its history is thoroughly examined.

• Early Celebrations and Safety Concerns

  At [17:40], the narrator recounts the first Times Square ball drop: "The first New Year's Eve party ever hosted in Times Square, New York City, ended in a fireworks show. However, two years later, fireworks were banned for safety reasons."

  The Turkish speaker quips at [18:01], "Fireworks are too dangerous. Let's drop a 700-pound iron and wood ball down a pole instead."

• Origins of the Time Ball

  The episode traces the Time Ball back to Greenwich, England, at [18:09]: "The first Time Ball was installed atop England's Royal Observatory and would drop at 1 pm every afternoon, allowing ship captains to accurately set their navigational chronometers or Fancy watches."

  At [18:52], it's noted that about 150 time balls were installed globally, though most have become obsolete with technological advancements.

• Technological Evolution of the Times Square Ball

  The narrator details the ball's upgrades over time: "The Times Square ball has undergone several technological updates over the decades, but it has dropped every year, with the exception of 1942 and 1943, when wartime lighting restrictions kept New York in the dark for New Year's."

  The Turkish speaker humorously advises, "Still, crowds gathered in Times Square and celebrated with a minute of silence followed by the ringing of large chimes located in trucks parked at the base of the ball tower."

Auld Lang Syne: The Universal New Year's Song

No New Year's Eve summary is complete without mentioning "Auld Lang Syne."

• Origins and Meaning

  At [20:25], the narrator clarifies the song's title and meaning: "Auld Lang Syne means times long past, and while the lyrics seem nonsensical, it's played on New Year's Eve all around the world, from the USA to Russia to China."

  The Turkish speaker recites the lyrics: "Should old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind? Should old acquaintance be forgot in days of auld lang syne."

Conclusion

The episode wraps up by reinforcing the significance of New Year's Eve as a time for renewal, reflection, and setting intentions for the future. Lindsay Graham encourages listeners to embrace their resolutions with the SMART framework, ensuring their goals are achievable and meaningful. The rich variety of global traditions showcased throughout the episode illustrates the universal human desire to mark the passage of time and aspire for betterment in the year ahead.

Notable Quotes:

• Spanish Speaker at [03:39]: "In Spain, we eat 12 grapes, one for each strike of the midnight clock. Hopefully, it will bring us prosperity and good fortune in the New Year."

• Turkish Speaker at [08:25]: "Hey, are you saying getting better at soccer is isn't a smart resolution?"

• Narrator at [08:13]: "The first step is to make your resolution SMART. S for specific, M for measurable, A attainable, R relevant, and T time-bound."

• Julius Caesar at [14:54]: "I love it. Cleopatra. I'll call it the Julian calendar, after me."

• Turkish Speaker at [20:37]: "Should old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind? Should old acquaintance be forgot in days of auld lang syne."

This comprehensive exploration of New Year's traditions and resolutions not only educates listeners on historical practices but also provides practical advice for personal growth in the new year.