Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 76, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 December 1911 — Where New Year Begins [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Where New Year Begins

The New Year begins earliest on the 180th meridian, that is at the part of the world which lies exactly opposite Greenwich, on the magic line where sailors have to jump a day either forwards or backwards, according as they are sailing with or against the sun. - The earth rotates on Its axis once every twenty-four hours,' so that In the same period of time the sun apparently circles the earth. Supposing we travel around the earth In the same direction as the sun, and at a speed great enough to keep It In, sight, then we get back to our starting point without once seeing a sunset, so that as far as we are concerned It is still the same day. As a matter of fact, it Is

exactly one day later. Even if you do not keep the sun over you on your voyage, It Is apparent that you will reach your starting point with your calculations one day out, unless you have provided for this by striking out an extra day on the calendar. If you travel against the sun you will have to add a day to the calendar. The convention that has been established with regard to this matter IS to consider the day as beginning at the 180th meridian, so that the 181st meridian is always a day ahead of the 179th. As the day begins first at the 180th meridian, the New Year comes first at that point, too, being there twelve hours sooner than it comes at Greenwich.