From Kiribati to Samoa and on to Australia, people have already ushered in the year 2024. Finally, Europe has joined them as well!
In the South Pacific atoll of Kiritimati, nearly 7,300 inhabitants were the first worldwide to greet the year 2024, starting at 11am Luxembourg time. Only 15 minutes later, it was time for the Chatham Islands, which belong to New Zealand, located about 800 kilometers east of New Zealand and having their own time zone.
An hour after Kiritimati, New Zealand, as well as the island nations of Samoa and Tonga, celebrated the New Year. In Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, the 328-meter tall Sky Tower was the center of a large light show with 500 kilograms of pyrotechnics.
Major spectacles in many cities
At 2 pm Luxembourg time, the traditional huge fireworks display began in Sydney, Australia, in front of the world-famous backdrop of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. There alone, over 13,500 fireworks with various special effects were ignited.
Large fireworks displays are also planned in many Asian metropoli, including Singapore and Bangkok. Impressive images are also expected from Dubai, Paris, London, Rio de Janeiro, and New York.
American Samoa, only 220 kilometers east of Samoa on the other side of the International Date Line, will be the last country to start the year 2024 - twelve hours after Luxembourg.
