Silvester

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For other uses of similar terms see Sylvester

The term silvester (alternately, but uncommonly sylvester or sylwester) is used in certain countries (such as Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Switzerland and Slovenia) for December 31^st in the Gregorian calendar, New Year's Eve. Swedes don't generally refer to the day itself with this name, but traditionally celebrate Silvester on this day as one of its 365 name days, using that spelling as it's the most common spelling of the name in Sweden. The naming refers to Pope Sylvester I, who died on that date in 335.

The introduction of the Gregorian calendar in 1582 moved the last day of the year from December 24^th to December 31^st which had been named Silvester since 813.