Millennium

Re “Millennium Pandemonium,” Opinion, Jan. 5: Just for the record, the year 2000 is the last year of the 20th century--the “20” in 2000 gives the 20th century its name.

So, in spite of the worldwide hoopla, the 21st century and the 3rd millennium won’t begin until Jan. 1, 2001. Why the confusion? Simple: There was no year “0.” The first year in the 1st century was “1” and the end of the 1st century was at the end of the year 100.

Confusion also comes about because we number calendar years at the beginning of the year, while in our lives, we number our age as we reach the end of each year. Now, as we approach the year 2000, the age-numbering system is being misapplied to the century-numbering system.

R.E. BONSON

Diamond Bar