Posted by Lloyd on January 07, 2000 at 16:38
In Reply to: Millennium Clarification posted by WetCanadian on January 03, 2000 at 21:16
The reason is simple. The first year AD, by convention, is the year 1AD, and the first century went from the year 1AD to the year 100AD. The first millennium was from the year 1AD to the year 1000AD. The 10th Century went from the year 901AD to the year 1000AD. The 11th Century *started* with 1001AD, and likewise, the 2nd Millennium; the 20th Century went from the year 1901 (not 1900) to the end of the year 2000, which means it's not finished yet. The 21st Century starts next year (2001), as does the 3rd Millennium.
It amazes me that people just don't understand this simple principle, but apparently, they didn't in 1900, either. By the middle of the next century (the 21st, that is), everyone will understand again, I expect. Still, it would be nice if it were actually taught in schools like it used to be!