New Year revellers welcomed in 2001 with fireworks, dancing and religious ceremonies throughout the world, with a few even leaping from a tall building in celebration.
Published:
1 January 2001 y., Monday
Fifteen parachutists from the U.S., Europe and Asia leapt from the old millennium to the new as midnight chimed on Sunday, using the world's tallest skyscrapers as a launch pad.
The jump started at 15 seconds before midnight, so that when they landed time had moved forward to a new millennium -- at least in the view of those who insist that 2000 was the last year of the second millennium A.D.
In Argentina, police blocked of Corrientes Avenue in Buenos Aires to create space for a New Year's Eve tango-fest. Brazil's most famous city, Rio de Janeiro, spent 1.3 million reais ($666,000) this year to attract more foreigners for the December 31 gala.
In New York, snow was being cleared from Manhattan's Times Square in preparation for celebrations after a foot (30 centimetres) fell in the last few days.
Hundreds of thousands of party-goers are expected to brave freezing temperatures and bitterly cold wind chill to welcome in 2001.
Pakistan's militant Muslims warned against celebrations and deployed extra soldiers to make sure no dancing took place, while authorities in Lebanon and Syria warned people to leave their guns at home.
Lebanese authorities banned firing into the air after the nation's civil war ended in 1990. However, shooting remains a New Year's Eve tradition.
In Japan, as the Year of the Dragon gave way to the Year of the Snake at midnight, temple bells sounded 108 times, symbolically driving out the 108 sins in the Buddhist catalogue.
Šaltinis:
europe.cnn.com
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
Wanting to keep up with their customers needs of finding new ways to enjoy their coffee, this cafe chain in Taiwan decided to add salt.
more »
This human snack-vending machine created a stir among rail commuters at London's busy Victoria station.
more »
Warner Bros. announced the opening date for the eighth film in its Harry Potter franchise.
more »
A riderless horse gallops along the banks of the River Seine.
more »
The calm of the famous Copacabana beach in Brazil was interrupted by a pets parade.
more »
The 4-year-old heartbreaker is so popular, keepers have set up her very own post box so she can receive her much anticipated many Valentine's cards.
more »
Hundreds of people have been flocking to see the almost perfect heart-shaped pattern on the bull`s forehead.
more »
Train enthusiasts wait expectantly for a glimpse of 'Tornado', the first steam locomotive to be built in Britain for nearly 50 years.
more »
Elton John plays the final notes on the red piano in Las Vegas.
more »
The most famous plastic doll of all, “Barbie” is turning 50.
more »