why do we call it the 19th century when we are talking about the 1800's?

Question

why can't it be called the 18th century?

Answer 1

BC and AD are what we usually use to separate time. We separate time into 100 year periods called centuries. We mark time by The birth of Jesus Christ. So the year 150 BC is the 150th year before the Birth of Christ. Time after Jesus was born is marked A.D., Latin for " Ano Dominus" or " the year of our Lord. The 1st century is at the end of 100 years after Jesus birth, not the beginning. There can not be a 0 century. Just like on your 1st birthday you finished 1 year of life you didn't begin it.You can't say your 1 year old until you're into your second year of life. The years of your life or the centuries of time they are both the same.

Answer 2

Years of the Gregorian calendar, which is currently in use today, are counted from AD 1. Thus, the 1st century comprised the years AD 1 through AD 100. The second century began with AD 101 and continued through AD 200. By extrapolation we find that the 20th century comprises the years AD 1901-2000. Therefore, the 21st century will begin with 1 January 2001 and continue through 31 December 2100.

Answer 3

The first century is years 1 to 100. The second century is the century after that one - years 101 to 200.

And so it goes.

Answer 4

Because the first century was years 1-100. Second is 101-200, third 201-300...etc...until 1801-1900 which would be the nineteenth century.

Effectively right now, we're in the 21st century. And will be there until the year 2101.

Answer 5

thats just the way it goes. i just like to call it the 1800s to make it simpler.

Answer 6

Because that would be the 1700's. If you count it back it makes perfect sense.