January 1 - January 7, 2012 (67 images)

Lady Gaga and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg push the button that will start the decent of the New Year's Eve crystal ball and ring in 2012 in Times Square on January 1, 2012 in New York City. UPI /Monika Graff

Ben Sanders and Lilly Karak of New York City wear flashing 2012 glasses as they join the hundreds of thousands of revelers gathered in Time Square to celebrate New Year's Eve on December 31, 2011 in New York City. UPI /Monika Graff

Iranian Christians attend a church service on the first day of the New Year at the Vank church in Isfahan, Iran on January 1, 2012. UPI/Maryam Rahmanian

Tania Hernandez, front, and Stephanie Vasatka hit the water after leaping in the 28th annual Polar Bear jump into the Burley Lagoon in Olalla, Washington on January 1, 2012. Over 500 hardy participants braved the chilly lagoon waters to join in on the annual New Year's Day Tradition. UPI /Jim Bryant