More Debate on the Millennium’s Start

I feel compelled to respond to the controversy about when the new millennium actually starts, in 2000 or 2001 [“When Millennium Starts? Ask Earlier Generation,” Letters, Jan. 17]. On Jan. 1, 1901, the first year of the 20th century was completed. It began on Jan. 1, 1900. This is just like the car odometer, which goes to one at the end of the mile, not the beginning of it.

So now, in January 1999, we have completed 99 years and are in the first month of the 100th year of this millennium. Next January we will have completed that final year, and we will be in the next millennium.

GREG WATKINS

Los Angeles

* I am sure that the advocates for recognizing the new millennium starts on Jan. 1, 2001, and not at the end of this year, are fundamentally correct. I am equally sure that this point of view will not prevail and that celebration will commence precisely on the last second of the last day of this year. The reason for this is not only that it is more satisfying, but that it is also more practical for the following reason.

As a Christian premise, the world started the instant that BC graduated into AD almost 2,000 years ago. The Christian calendar is dated from that moment. Celebrations would certainly have commenced the moment the “Christian world” started and would not have been delayed for 365 days until the first year was completed and the world moved from 0 to 1. Likewise, at the end of 1999, people will be celebrating the entry into, and beginning of, AD 2000, i.e., celebrating the initial moment of a new year with a dramatic new date.

PAUL S. McCAIG

Dana Point