Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 April 1893 — How Time is Reckoned. [ARTICLE]

How Time is Reckoned.

Tho entire world, Russia alono - excepted, will begin the New Year with* the first day of January. In that benighted country tho year will not be ushered in until March 25. This lost date was the opening of the New Yeex in England aud America up to within less than 150 years ago. In was in 1751 tlmt tho famous Lord Chesterfield secured the passage of a bill which set the beginning of tho Now Year for January 1. In Continental Europe, on the other hand, January 1 has been New Year's Day for more than three centuries. In 1532 it was so ordained by Pope Gregory and adopted by all Europe, with the exception of England, Sweden and Russia. Another change beside that of altering the date of the New Year was made by Lord Chesterfield’s reform. Up to that time tho English calendar was elevea days behind that of other European countries. That is, when It was June 1 or July 1 in England it was the 12th of the month in Continental Europe. By Chesterfield’s change the calendar data was advanced eleven days. This change is what brought about the transition from “Old Style” to “New Style" reckoning.—[New York Journal.