Well I wanted to research this holiday more, but I don't have time, unfortunately. Here's a bit about this holiday, which coincides with the Vernal Equinox. On my calendar it is spelled "Naw-Ruz" but it appears to have other spellings as well.
"Naw-Rúz is an ancient Iranian New Years day festival which occurs near the Spring Equinox. It is now a world holiday of the Bah á'í faith. If the equinox occurs before sunset, then New Year's Day is celebrated on that day in the Middle East; otherwise it is delayed until the following day. In the rest of the world, it is always on MAR-21. It is celebrated with many symbols indicating regrowth and renewal - much like the Christian Easter. Some members follow the ancient Iranian "haft-sin" custom on this day involves arranging seven objects whose name begin with the letter "S" in Persian; e.g. hyacinths, apples, lilies, silver coins, garlic, vinegar and rue."
http://www.religioustolerance.org/main_day5.htm
It appears to be celebrated all over the middle east. It is a time for spring cleaning, new clothes, visiting family. Not unlike the other new year celebrations I have been reading about.
There's a long Wikipedia article that has a lot more of the history and such:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norouz
Maybe next year I'll actually learn more about it :)
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