[LEAPSECS] LEAPSECS Digest, Vol 88, Issue 31

[Gerard Ashton]

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-bounces at leapsecond.com
[mailto:leapsecs-bounces at leapsecond.com] On Behalf Of Matsakis, Demetrios
Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2014 5:40 PM
To: leapsecs at 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.