America in the 19th Century -- who's the idiot?

Question

Gentle historians,

Help me to understand this vexing situation of crossed swords, this battle of minds.

John N. posted question in the History Forum:

Before the 19th century, the United States had never seen it. What is it?

My response was Answer #1:

A baby born in 1801.

And you, distinguished reader, will understand: the 19th-Century began in 1801 – so BEFORE the 19th Century, no one in the United States had seen a baby born in 1801. In other words, from the beginning of time up to the 19th Century, no one in the US had seen a baby born in 1801.

Then this guy (we’ll call him Answer #5) offered his opinion:

remeber the 19th century is the 1800's .... so a baby in 1801 would not count

Am I not understanding his response?

Why doesn't the baby count? More specifically, why does Answerer #5 HATE BABIES? How can someone hate babies? They are so cute.

So who is the idiot – me or him? (No credit for the obvious answer that we’re both idiots.)

Answer 1

Pardon me, but I really have to laugh here...

You're right. I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt and suggest that maybe he didn't read what you wrote...

He should probably get over his issues from his childhood so that he stops thinking that babies don't count.

Answer 2

Uh, 1800 is the beginning of the 19th century. So, all the babies that were born in 1800 would have been born before those in 1801. I think the guy meant to say that a baby born in 1801 "could" not count. But, then again, babies can't count. Maybe that's why he's a baby hater.

When I was 19 I was in my 20th year but I hadn't reached 20 until my birthday and so then I would be in my 21st year but I would still say I was 20--because I was. I hope this helps.

Answer 3

You, of course, are correct. Most people don't realize that the "00" years belong to the previous century. This is because we lack a year "0". If I am correct in my understanding, our calendar goes from 1 BC directly to 1 AD. A century, by definition, must consist of 100 years. If the new century started in the year 100, then the first century would only have had 99 years. Hence, the fist century AD includes all the years between 1 AD and 100 AD, the 2nd century AD includes all the years between 101 AD and 200 AD, etc, etc, etc.

The sad thing is that, even with this highly detailed explanation, people will still believe what they want to believe. We live in an age of extreme ignorance...

Answer 4

He is an idiot and a baby-hater. He should be burned at the stake!

Answer 5

he is, you are correct