|
|
|
While researching what seems intuitively obvious and needing no research, I came upon the following tidbit for the Royal Observatory Greenwich:
We have received a great deal of e-mail regarding the start of the 21st Century. It is interesting to note that this is not the first time that this controversy has arisen. The Times must have received many letters towards the end of 1799, since its editors felt moved to make the following comments about the beginning of the 19th Century:
"We have uniformly rejected all letters and declined all discussion upon the question of when the present century ends, as it is one of the most absurd that can engage the public attention, and we are astonished to find it has been the subject of so much dispute, since it appears plain. The present century will not terminate till January 1, 1801, unless it can be made out that 99 are 100... It is a silly, childish discussion, and only exposes the want of brains of those who maintain a contrary opinion to that we have stated"
The Times, 26 December 1799
Apparently, the media was better educated 200 years ago. I will no longer bore you with my drivel (or dribble) on this subject. The following links say it better than I ever could, and they don't even need a yardstick.
|
|