Silvester
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For other uses of similar terms see Sylvester
The term silvester (alternately spelled sylvester) is used in certain countries (such as Germany and Israel) for December 31st in the Gregorian calendar, New Year's Eve. Swedes don't generally refer to the day itself with this name, but traditionally celebrate Silvester on this day as one of its 365 name days, using that spelling as it's the most common spelling of the name in Sweden. The naming refers to Pope Silvester I, who died on that date in 335.
The introduction of the Gregorian calendar in 1582 moved the last day of the year from December 24th to December 31st which had been named Silvester since 813.
