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From: everett@hp-pcd.UUCP (everett)
Newsgroups: net.misc
Subject: counting years
Message-ID: <6400004@hpcvla.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 27-Aug-86 15:35:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: hpcvla.6400004
Posted: Wed Aug 27 15:35:00 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 29-Aug-86 19:07:42 EDT
Organization: Hewlett-Packard - Corvallis, OR
Lines: 30
Nf-ID: #N:hpcvla:6400004:000:1358
Nf-From: hpcvla!everett    Aug 27 11:35:00 1986

In many cultures, years were counted from the beginning of the reign of a
particular ruler or dynasty.  This was true in many "christian" countries
until long after Christ.

The Gregorian calendar (the one we currently use) was introduced in 1582
by Pope Gregory XIII.  It was adopted in Great Britian and the American
colonies in 1752.  It threw away 10 or 11 days, which was how much the Julian
Calendar was off, due to leap year mis-management.  The Julian calendar was
introduced in Rome in 46 B.C.  It established the 12-month, 365 day year with
each 4th year being a leap year

The Jewish calendar has 12 months, but each month has only 29 or 30 days,
causing a larger drift.  In leap years, they add an entire month of 29 days
to get back on track.

The Muhammadan calendar also has 12 months, but the months retrogress through
the seasons, as the year is lunar based, and each month begins at the 
approximate new moon;  the Muhammadan year 1 A.H. began on Friday, July 16,
A.D. 622.

The Hindu calendar ALSO has 12 months, but an extra month is inserted after
every month in which two new moons occur (once in three years).

If any of the above is incorrect, please castigate and flay me in public
and let my memory live in infamy, for I am stupid enough to believe in the
accuracy of a dictionary!

Everett Kaser
Hewlett-Packard Co.
Corvallis, OR