Dale Rodgers, age 10, of Patterson, N.J., for his question:

HAS NEW YEAR'S DAY ALWAYS BEEN IN JANUARY?

New Year's Day, the first day of the year, is on Jan. 1 in the Gregorian calendar. However, in the Middle Ages most European countries used the Julian calendar and observed New Year's Day on March 25. It was called Annunciaton Day.

With the introduction of the Gregorian calendar in 1582, Roman Catholic countries began to celebrate New Year's Day on Jan. 1. Scotland accepted the Gregorian calendar in 1600 while Germany, Denmark and Sweden accepted it about 1700. It wasn't until 1752 that England accepted the now calendar.

Traditionally New Year's Day has been observed as a religious feast, but in modern times the arrival of a new year has become an occasion for spirited celebrating and the making of personal resolutions about future conduct.

The Jewish New Year is called Rosh Hashanah, or the Feast of Trumpets, and is prescribed by the Old Testament as a holy Sabbath. It is celebrated on the first and second days of Tishri (generally September).

The Chinese celebrate New Year's Day sometime between Jan. 10 and Feb. 19 of the Gregorian calendar. It is their most important holiday.