Section B·Page 13
The University Daily Kansan
Wednesday, December 1, 1999
Millennium
Millennium celebrations may be a year too early
Experts agree calendar started with year one,not year zero
By Andrea Bond Special to the Kansan
MILLENNIUM 200? Illustration by Jason Williams/KANSAN
The dispute as to whether the millennium starts January 1, 2000 or January 1, 2001 has people wondering when the celebrating should really begin.
The uncertainty started with a monk named Dionysius Exigus. Exigus began modern time on January 1 of the year one rather than January 1 of the year zero. Because each millennium includes 1,000 years, the second millennium would begin January 1, 1001. Therefore, the next millennium will begin January 1, 2001, despite common beliefs.
Zero may be a symbol for nothing, but it is also an important number and the cause of the millennial dilemma.
"It is hard to imagine modern technology without zeros," Saul Stahl, professor of mathematics said in a press release by University Relations.
"Zero is a magical number." Thomas Heilke, associate professor of political science, said.
Zero is especially important in this situation. Pop culture prefers 2000 ahead of 2001 because of the change in the numbers. It is more appealing to celebrate on January 1, 2000, because society looks at the calendar, sees the numbers turning over, and automatically sanctions that the new millennium is beginning.
However, some people think the millennium truly begins in the year 2001.
"The first millennium was in 1001, so the next millenium would obviously begin in 2001," said Mary Corcoran, Lawrence sophomore.
Tim Miller, professor of religious studies, also thinks the millennium will begin in the year 2001. In his course he discusses different millennial confrontations leading back to the coming of Christ.
Even though some KU students agree that the year 2001 is the beginning of the second millennium, they plan to celebrate in 2000.
"The number change seems to be more important to our entire society than does the technicality of the New Year," said Laura Lampman, Overland Park junior. "I am convinced that 2001 is the new millennium, but I will still celebrate 2000 just like everybody else is."
Other students think the millennium is a selling push
to get people to buy certain products.
"I think that the millennium begins in the year 2001," said Allyson Horner, Leawood sophomore. "2000 is just a marketing scheme for advertisers to make people anxious for this event."
Other students agree that the catchy Y2K is simply a marketing ploy.
"The persuasiveness to celebrate the new millennium comes from advertisers who give us the idea that the millennium begins in the Year 2000," said Charity Crane, Overland Park senior.
Whether the celebration takes place January 1,2000, or January 1,2001, many experts agree that the second millennium does begin in the year 2001.
"I think that the millennium begins in the year 2001. 2000 is just a marketing scheme for advertisers to make people anxious for this event."
Allyson Horner Leawood sophomore
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