Did you know? Although we are use to our year beginning on January 1, it was only in the middle of the eighteenth century that it was decided that the year should begin then. Before then December 25 began the year, and after the Conquest of the Normans, March 25 became New Year's Day. It was this way until 1752. The first sign of the zodiac, Aries, was placed at the beginning of the year from the spring equinox, March 21. Each sign was given characteristics of its own.