Calendrical coincidences?

[dr_whom]

So I just noticed this:

In the Western secular system, the calendar day is considered to begin at midnight; and New Year's Day is near the winter solstice, the darkest day of the year.

On the other hand, in the Jewish tradition, the day is considered to begin at sunset, and New Year's Day is near the autumn equinox.

Is this a coincidence? In cultures where the year begins in spring, does the calendar day begin at sunrise?

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/little_e_/]

I don't think it's purely a coincidence. I feel like Judaism celebrates the ends of things. (eg, the end of the day, end of the harvest).