BusyBee's answer to
The Big Question

Ok, so everyone wants to know, when does the new millennium really start?
Is it January 1, 2000 or January 1, 2001?
Technically, the new millennium starts on January 1, 2001.
There was no year 0 in the Gregorian calendar,
so the first decade ended 10 years after year 1, or December 31, 10.
Similarly, the first century ended on December 31, 100,
and the second millennium started on January 1, 1001.

Most of us, I think, tend to look upon the turn of the century
as not an abstract math question, but more akin to the functioning of an odometer.
The odomoter clicks over at 100,000 miles, not 100,001.
When those first two numbers of the year change from 19 to 20,
people will celebrate being in the new millennium.

Of course, some people may celebrate the whole year
and finish when the true beginning of the millennium arrives

:o)

Copyright BusyBee 1999