Will the Millennium Last Another Year? Or Will It Come a Year Too Early?

0 Comments | Insight on the News, Dec 20, 1999

Insight reader Charles Wheat writes to express surprise at the pervasiveness of the message that the new millennium is only "months away." He cites the World Almanac as suggesting otherwise. "The 20th century consists of the years 1901 through 2000 and will end Dec. 31, 2000," Wheat quotes the Almanac as saying. He wonders if those who are spending vast sums of money to attend exotic "millennium parties" might be eligible for refunds and if Time magazine is ignoring any achievements in the coming year by naming a "Man of the Century" before the official end of the century. "I thought you might give me an `Insight' to these questions," Wheat concludes.

Well, from a commercial point of view, having the millennium end twice is a marketing dream. People who don't want to miss out on being somewhere memorable to celebrate the event will have to make two trips to Las Vegas or wherever. The publishing world can reap the harvest twice, revising lists issued this January to include anything of significance that occurs next year. And the folks producing all these gimcracks as souvenirs of the millennium can unload a fresh batch in 2001.

As regards the timing of the celebration here in the Briefs Bunker, it will reflect our unswerving policy of avoiding arguments with the U.S. Navy. Historically, this has proved a wise course. And so we defer to the official timekeeper for this great country of ours, the U.S. Naval Observatory, for the final word, to wit: "The end of the second millennium and the beginning of the third will be reached on Jan. 1, 2001."

Not convinced? Take it up with the Sixth Fleet.