The Writer's Almanac from Wednesday, January 24, 2001 "Never love unlesse you can," by Thomas Campion ORIGINAL TEXT - 2001 ORIGINAL AUDIO - 2001 Today is the Chinese New Year, the first day in the Year of the Snake. According to tradition, Chinese homes are given an annual housecleaning today that sweeps the dirt of the past year out of every corner of the house. Children are given good-luck money wrapped in red paper, and everyone is supposed to be on their best behavior—no cursing, fibbing, or yelling. And for today, no one will use knives, scissors, or other sharp objects, for fear of cutting short the luck of the New Year.
The 2024 Lunar New Year will be observed on February 10. This will be the year of the wood dragon.