“New Year’s Eve Around the World: 20 Fascinating Facts About December 31st”

• New Zealand is among the first countries to celebrate New Year’s Eve due to its time zone.

• In Spain, people eat 12 grapes at midnight for good luck. It's like If you can finish all 12 grapes within the first minute, you'll have a lucky new year.

• Sydney, Australia, hosts one of the world’s largest New Year’s Eve fireworks displays.

• In Japan, Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times on New Year’s Eve.

• Brazil’s beaches turn into celebrations with millions dressed in white for peace.

• Scotland’s Hogmanay festival involves fire ceremonies and a torch-lit procession.

• In Italy, wearing red underwear on December 31st is believed to bring love and luck.

• The famous New Year’s Eve ball drop in New York’s Times Square started in 1907.

• Denmark celebrates by smashing plates on friends’ doorsteps for good fortune.

• In the Philippines, people wear polka dots for prosperity.

• South Koreans gather at the Bosingak Belfry in Seoul for a ceremonial bell-ringing.

• The ancient Romans celebrated December 31st as a day of feasting and gifts.

• In Greece, families bake Vasilopita, a cake with a hidden coin for luck.

• Russians write wishes on paper, burn it, and drink the ashes mixed in champagne.

• Germans pour molten lead into water to predict their future.

• The tradition of making resolutions dates back to ancient Babylonians.

• In Mexico, people sweep their houses to remove bad energy for the coming year.

• Argentina celebrates by burning effigies representing the year’s misfortunes.

• Fireworks are believed to scare away evil spirits in many cultures.

• In Canada, New Year’s Eve is celebrated with polar bear swims in icy waters.