Then, it transferred to the same side of the international date line as the United States, in an effort to aid trade.

BBC: Samoa and Tokelau skip a day for dateline change

In Auckland, the major city closest to the International Date Line, fireworks exploded over the city's 328m (1, 076ft) Sky Tower as midnight struck (11:00 GMT).

BBC: New year revellers welcome 2013 with fireworks

Perhaps the smart money is on vacations to Alaska, most of which is as close to the back side of the international date line as you can get.

CNN: Opinion: Dissecting the millennial fruitcake

The international date line passes through the island of Taveuni.

NPR: Pacific Island Cultures Brace for Climate Change