I think Matsakis's post illustrates an important point: who is in charge? Since no authority is in clear control of the definition of the Julian and Gregorian calendars, no authority is in a position to demand that December 31, 2000, be regarded as the last day of the 20th century. In the absence of authority, words mean what the consensus of the general public deems them to mean. Since the parties on December 31, 1999, were larger than the parties a year later (at least in the US), December 31, 1999, was the last day of the 20th century.
Gerry Ashton -----Original Message----- From: leapsecs-boun...@leapsecond.com [mailto:leapsecs-boun...@leapsecond.com] On Behalf Of Matsakis, Demetrios Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2014 5:40 PM To: leapsecs@leapsecond.com Subject: Re: [LEAPSECS] LEAPSECS Digest, Vol 88, Issue 31 Not my issue, but the last day of the 20th century is technically December 31, 2000. I wish it weren't. When this controversy passed in 1701, Isaac Newton is quoted has having rejoiced that "the issue was finally behind us". Also, I would add November 18, 1858 as the first day in the Modified Julian Date system, although MJD was not introduced until much later. Apologies if this email comes out of sequence - I am only signed up for daily batches. _______________________________________________ LEAPSECS mailing list LEAPSECS@leapsecond.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/leapsecs
