Americans finished off 1986 with parties and a rush for tax deductions and brought in 1987 with hangovers, parades, hopes for a better year and twins born in different years.
The nation's two biggest New Year's attractions -- the Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena, Calif., and the gathering in New York's Times Square -- were packed as usual.
An estimated 1 million people lined the parade route to watch 57 flowery floats designed on the theme 'A World of Wonders' and some 100 million saw it on television.
Some 300,000 celebrants and 2,000 police officers swarmed Times Square for the traditional lowering of the lighted apple. Thirty-four people were arrested on charges ranging from robbery to weapons violations.
Tiffany Jean Novak of Keystone, Colo., undoubtedly was the baby born closest to the beginning of 1987. She checked in at three seconds after midnight and her birth certificate says midnight.
The new year presented a baby dilemma for Holly and Randy Adkins of Conroe, Texas. She gave birth to Elizabeth Marie at 11:53 p.m. Dec. 31, 1986, and then came Elizabeth's twin, Jennifer Lynn, at 12:02 a.m. Jan. 1, 1987.
'I can tell right now birthdays are going to be a problem,' the father said. 'I would have preferred one year or the other. I'm really numb right now. What a way to bring in the new year. My wife was just thankful it wasn't triplets.'
The same thing happened in Albany, N.Y., where Laura Beth Regimbald was born with 14 minutes left in 1986 and her sister, Karen Ann, arrived three minutes into 1987.
Many New Year's hopes centered on an end to Washington's Iran-Contra scandal and to worldwide terrorism.
'I thought '86 was going real fine until the last couple of months,' said Peter Geremia, a federal employee from Rye, N.H. 'Then it seemed like the international scene fell apart for us.'
'I have no complaints about 1986, at least none that anyone can do anything about,' said Colleen Boyce, 22, a Chicago sales representative. 'But in 1987 I would like to see peace in the world, especially an end to terrorism. I also would like to see a greater concern for the family.'
The new year was an especially strong reaffirmation of life for three cross-country skiiers who spent New Year's Eve lost on Rabbit Ears Pass near Steamboat Springs, Colo. The three had only sweaters and gloves and temperatures were well below zero.
Many Americans were out hustling up a tax break by making donations, transferring property and buying cars before starting their New Year's Eve parties.
'Its been unbelieveable,' Rhett Ricart said of the crowd at his Ford dealership in Columbus, Ohio. 'I've never seen anything like it. We thought sales would pick up a little because of the tax situation but nothing like this.'
'We expect a rush at the end of the year, but it really blew up this year,' said Joe Colturi of the Port Lawrence Title & Trust Co. in Toledo, Ohio.
The new federal tax code means millions will be losing some of their most prized deductions in 1987 such as sales taxes, union dues and contributions to individual retirement accounts.
Participants in the 87th annual Mummers Parade in Philadelphia decided not to risk their fine, feathered costumes in the predicted rain and snow and postponed the 12-hour march until Saturday.
New Year's Eve brought out the foolish and violent nature in many. A man who was kicked out of a Bossier City, La., bar after fighting with his girlfriend returned with a gun and fired more than 50 rounds, killing a barmaid and wounding five people.
Revelers randomly firing guns seriously wounded a pregnant woman and 9-year-old girl in Los Angeles in a fusilade of celebration that one officer said left the city sounding like Beirut.
'We've confiscated enough ammunition for a small army,' said officer Robert Buty.
Among those arrested were two people firing Uzi machine guns in the air.
