History of Lunar New Year in Timeline
Lunar New Year marks the start of a new year based on lunar or lunisolar calendars. Lunar calendars have a fixed number of lunar months, always starting with a new moon. Lunisolar calendars also begin with a new moon but have a variable number of lunar months to stay synchronized with the solar year. Different cultures celebrate this event in diverse ways and on different dates, with variations in how the first day of the new year is determined.
1912: Renaming of Chinese New Year to Spring Festival
In 1912, with the establishment of the Republic of China, the traditional "Chinese New Year" celebration was officially renamed "Spring Festival" (春节/春節 chūnjié). The former name, "Yuandan" (The First Day), was then 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 officially recognized Lunar New Year as a floating holiday, following a decade of advocacy by China and other Asian countries. This resolution encourages UN bodies to avoid scheduling meetings on Lunar New Year.
2024: Implementation of Lunar New Year as a UN Floating Holiday
Starting in 2024, the UN's recognition of Lunar New Year as a floating holiday will be implemented. This means UN staff internationally will observe Lunar New Year as their eighth floating holiday.
