History of Lunar New Year in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: February 16, 2026

Lunar New Year marks the start of a new year based on lunar or lunisolar calendars. Unlike solar calendars, lunar calendars begin with a new moon and have a consistent number of lunar months, typically thirteen. Lunisolar calendars, on the other hand, adjust the number of lunar months periodically to realign with the solar year. Celebrations vary across cultures and occur on different dates, depending on each culture's specific method for determining the start of the new year.

1912: Spring Festival became the official name in China

In 1912, with the founding of the Republic of China, the celebration officially became known as "Spring Festival" in China, and the previous name, "Yuandan", was assigned to the first day of the Gregorian calendar.

December 2023: UN recognizes Lunar New Year as a floating holiday

In December 2023, the United Nations unanimously passed a resolution to recognize the "Lunar New Year" (based on the lunisolar Chinese calendar) as a floating holiday at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

2023: UN General Assembly recognized the Spring Festival as a UN holiday

In 2023, the United Nations General Assembly recognized the Spring Festival, which coincides with the lunisolar Chinese New Year and is also celebrated in Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, and Korea, among others, designating Lunar New Year as a UN holiday.

2024: UN bodies to avoid meetings during Lunar New Year

Starting in 2024, UN bodies are encouraged to avoid holding meetings during Lunar New Year, marking it as the eighth floating holiday observed by UN staff internationally.