It's not based on the year... it's based on the month and it is February. Or it can be Jan.
It is the year of the tiger! It comes in between the ox and the rabbit.
Chinese New Year in 1973 was on February 3.
农历新年 春节 (Chūn Jié) or 新年 (xīn nián)
In 2009, Chinese New Years Eve is on January 25th and Chinese New Year is on January 26th. The Animal Sign this year is the Ox.