(AINA) -- Assyrians ushered in the new year on March 20, celebrating their 6761st year. The Assyrian new year begins on the Vernal Equinox. In the old Assyrian calendar, used during the Assyrian Empire, April 1st marked the beginning of the new year. April (Neesan) was the first month of the year. The celebration of the new year was and is called the Akitu festival by Assyrians, and this was adopted by the various cultures that lived contemporaneously with Assyrians and by those that succeeded them. The Akitu festival is a 12 day celebration.

In modern times Assyrians have switched to the Gregorian and Julian calendars, but the Akitu festival is still celebrated between March 20 and April 1.