Why is it when they say " 19th century do they mean the year 1800?

Question

When did it start to be that way , & why ?

Answer 1

The 19th century began with 1801 ( and the 20th with 1901, and contrary to popular opinion, the 21st with 2001). The first century was year 1 to 100, the 2nd 101 to 200. The century number is one ahead of the year number.

Answer 2

Watch out! Once you start wondering about how dates are figured, you open up a big can of worms!!!

The date from which we count our years is an arbitrary date that was decided upon by theologians at a council. Many disagreed with the date chosen and there are many good reasons why.

Jesus was probably born around 3 B.C. The king that was searching for the Christ child was already dead by year one.

There is no year zero. The tradition of counting the years started the counting from year one instead.

According to the New Testament. The year of the lord should have been counted from his Ascension not his birth. That would put our current year at around 1977 or so.

The term CE has become very popular for describing our date. It means Common Era. The corollary would be BCE: Before Common Era. Even that is not agreed on but it at least makes sense.

Before most Protestants adopted the Gregorian Calendar, March was often the first month of the year (spring). The change happened withing last 200 years or so (after USA became a country).

Heck, before around the year 1 C.E. or so, most people in the Roman Empire were using an 8 day week! It is hard to imagine!!!

Answer 3

Actually the year 1800 is the end of the 18th century. The 19th century befan January 1st 1801.

Answer 4

Anything in the 1800's is the 19th century. We are now in the 21st century although it is 2007, it means that we have just started out on our 21st century.

It's the same as if you just turned 18, then you would be beginning your 19th year.

Hope that helps

Answer 5

Because the years 1 through 99 AD were the First century

Answer 6

Because the century started at year 1. 1-99 is the "first century."

When you get to 100, that's actually the 2nd century. So you have to remember that there was a century that didn't have a hundreds place, only 2-digit numbers.

I would assume they started saying _____th century a few centuries into the game, after they changed the calendar to its present form (Julian.)

Answer 7

People started to keep track of days and nights for agricultural purposes. When we look back in history, the first ever "100 year section" was called the first century (before Christ). When you think about it, it went from 1 (the first year) to 99. The 100th year signalled the second century. So......whatever year it is, add 100 and you've got the century.

Answer 8

All the years up to year 99AD would be the first Century. Then from 100AD onwards would be the second Century. Hence 1800AD onwards would be the 19th Century, and we're now in the 21st.

Answer 9

Because the 18th century is over and you're moving past that. It's now into the 19th century.

Answer 10

no the 1800's like all years starting with 18 and only 4 numbers long