n
n
Thenmen of Britain had to time it just right. He had to purchase orngather treats such as cakes and breads and cheeses, and then he hadnto lurk about, waiting for midnight, and then he could “firstfoot”nby being the first to cross the threshold of somebody’s home in the NewnYear.
Thenmen of Britain had to time it just right. He had to purchase orngather treats such as cakes and breads and cheeses, and then he hadnto lurk about, waiting for midnight, and then he could “firstfoot”nby being the first to cross the threshold of somebody’s home in the NewnYear.n
n
n
n
n
nFirstfooting, an English and Scotish tradition, was supposed to bring the family luck. However, if the firstfooternhad flat feet or – oh, the horror! – blond hair, some other mannwould do the firstfooting duties to bring luck (because flat feet andnfair hair weren’t so lucky, I guess?). Apparently firstfooting was sonpopular, the streets were more crowded between midnight and 1 a.m. onnNew Year’s Day than they were at any normal busy daytime.
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
nAccordingnto my sources, firstfooting is still common in some areas of Britainnand even the U.S.
n
n
n
n
n
nAlsonon this date:
n
n
n
n
New Year’s Day (also here and here)
New Year’s Day (also here and here)n
n
n
n
n
nn
nPatriot and silversmith Paul Revere’s birthday n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
nFlag maker Betsy Ross’s birthday
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
nRose Parade Day
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
