That Old Century Trick

While I certainly agree with Alex Ferguson (“George Burns Hits Big Time,” Saturday Letters, Feb. 4) that it will be a wonderful thing should George Burns live into the next century, when he will have lived in three centuries and two millennia, I am afraid that Ferguson, and Burns, will have to wait one year longer.

The year 2000 is not the first year of the 21st Century, it is the last year of the 20th Century. Centuries, like millennia and decades, begin in years that end with the number “1,” as in “first,” not “0” as in “tenth,” “hundredth” or “thousandth.” I do hope, however, that Burns, Ferguson and I are all around to celebrate Burns’ birthday Jan. 20, 2001.

JOHN HAMILTON SCOTT, Sherman Oaks

An editing oversight enabled a number of letter writers to have a busy Saturday.