Why is January considered the first month of the year?

The History of January as the First Month of the Year

January, named after the Roman god Janus, has been considered the first month of the year for over 2000 years. But how did it come to be the start of the calendar year, and why has it remained so?

The Roman Calendar

The Roman calendar, which was the precursor to the modern Gregorian calendar that is used today, originally consisted of only 10 months. The year began with March, which was considered the first month of the year because it was the month in which the Roman New Year was traditionally celebrated. January and February were not even considered part of the year and were added later on as the calendar was revised.

The Julian Calendar

It wasn't until the introduction of the Julian calendar in 45 BC that January officially became the first month of the year. The Julian calendar, which was introduced by Julius Caesar, was a solar calendar that more accurately reflected the length of the solar year. It was also the first calendar to include the months of January and February as part of the year.

The Gregorian Calendar

In the 16th century, Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar, which is the calendar that is used worldwide today. The Gregorian calendar, like the Julian calendar before it, begins the year with January. This has been the standard for over 500 years and is unlikely to change anytime in the near future.

Conclusion

In conclusion, January has been considered the first month of the year for over 2000 years, with its designation as such beginning with the introduction of the Julian calendar in 45 BC. While the reasoning behind its placement as the start of the year has changed over time, January has remained the first month of the year for over 500 years and is unlikely to be displaced anytime in the near future.