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![]() The REAL thing.
When did the new millennium begin?
If you ask these questions of 100 people, probably 99 of them will answer, "On January 1, 2000."
That sounds reasonable, but it's wrong. The new millennium, as defined by the Gregorian Calendar used in most of the world, actually began on January 1, 2001, not January 1, 2000. All of the "millennium" celebrations at the end of 1999 were one year too early! (Not that I object in any way to a good party!)
Why the Confusion?
Another contributor to the misunderstanding was the Y2K computer bug that affected many computer systems at the start of the year 2000. This very real problem was erroneously called the "millennium bug" during much of the reporting on the subject.
Both of these factors made it seem plausible that the new millennium began in 2000. However, a quick look into the history of our calendar shows us that is incorrect.
Some History
Around the year 525, the Roman monk Dionysius Exiguus was working out a list of the dates of Easter. In the course of his work, he also reckoned the birth year of Christ, and designated it as 1 AD.
As Dionysius counted them, the years surrounding the birth of Christ were:
Why did Dionysius leave out the Year Zero? That's an easy one. The counting system used in 6th century Rome did not include the concept of "zero." The idea of "zero" was unknown to Dionysius. (If you recall the Roman numerals you learned in school, you'll remember there was no symbol for Zero.)
So, in designating the birth year of Christ as 1 AD, Dionysius chose the only starting point he knew: the Year One. This is critical to understanding when the next millennium begins.
Now, jump ahead more than 1000 years. In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII ordered that the Julian Calendar then in common use be reformed. The Gregorian Calendar Reform, as it came to be called, retained Dionysius' starting point of 1 AD and his system of counting the years, including its lack of a Year Zero. With the powerful influence of the Roman Catholic Church behind it, the Gregorian Calendar with its starting point of 1 AD was gradually adopted throughout the world.
You can argue that it's not logical. You can argue that Dionysius probably got the year of Christ's birth wrong. You can even find special-purpose calendar systems that do include a Year Zero.
In deciding when the new century or millennium began, none of this matters.
What matters is that the calendar we use today the Gregorian Calendar starts with the year 1 AD and has no Year Zero. For better or worse, we're stuck with it! (For a further discussion of the Year Zero problem, see Millennium Mistake, by Jan Zuidhoek.)
So, When Do Centuries Begin?
So every century begins with a year ending in 1 (one) and concludes with a year ending in 0 (zero). The 21st Century is no exception; it began in 2001, not 2000.
What About Millennia?
The new millennium began on January 1, 2001, on the same day that the 21st Century began.
Why should YOU care?
Even worse is the effect this sort of ignorance has on children. Today's kids are growing up in a world where ignorance is blissfully tolerated. Too many people have come to believe that everything even a historical fact is a matter of opinion. When children embrace the idea that something is true if enough people believe it, the incentive to pursue critical thinking, education, and hard work begins to disappear.
What should YOU do?
Don't be afraid to explain the facts, especially to children. Kids are often willing to accept ideas that adults refuse to think about. Don't ever be embarrassed because you know how to count.
Grab the banner below, and put it on your website. Link it to this page. If it helps even a few people think for themselves and learn something, it's worthwhile.
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