Nothing happens in the Year 2000

As December 31 draws nearer, we hear more and more about a New Millennium. Electronic and print media have started counting days.

Business organizations want to know whether we are prepared for the great day. If not they are there to help us, of course at a cost. But why this mad rush and why so impatiently, when there are well over 400 days for the great day.

The 3rd Millennium and the 21st Century will both begin at 12 midnight on December 31 of 2000, and not a minute earlier. There are about 396 days for that. 396 days is plenty of time. So take it cool.

Businessmen will say something about anything and everything as long as that is going to help them to make a quick buck. NO matter whether what they say is factually correct or not. SO why must we play into their hands.

The new Millennium or the new Century has nothing to do with planets or astronomy, or another science for that matter. It's not a subject for Professors to deal with. It is simple arithmetic, the science of counting.

First century is year 1 to year 100, both years inclusive. Second century is year 101 to year 200, both years inclusive, and so on and so forth.

20th century therefore is year1901 to 2000, both years inclusive, and 21st century is year 2001 to 2100, both years inclusive. When it comes to millenniums, 1st millennium is year 1 to year 1000, both years inclusive, 2nd millennium is year 1001 to year 2000, both years inclusive, and 3rd millennium is year 2001 to year 3000, both years inclusive.

It is as simple as that. So nothing happens in year 2000. We will have to wait till 1st January 2001.

- D.A.N Senaratne

More Plus

Return to Plus Contents