The article traces New Year’s resolutions back to the Babylonian festival of Akitu, where participants made pledges for the new year. Different cultures, such as the Romans and the Irish, developed their own customs for resolving disputes. Over time, the tradition evolved, with early American Puritans focusing on self-improvement. Despite only about 36% of people maintaining their resolutions today, the quest for self-betterment remains a universal aspect of human nature. https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/the-ancient-origins-of-new-years-resolutions-and-how-the-tradition-has-changed/1729042