Date query

[Lost Tyke]

When does the turn of a century officially start and end?

[bobbobley]

at midnight on 31 December at the end of the 100th year.

[bobbobley]

so for example, the last century ended at midnight on 31 December 2000 just as we were entering into 2001.

[bernardo]

Whenever this question is asked, there are always a few incorrect people who pretend that it is 31.12.1999, but bobbobley is correct - it is 31.12.2000.
The reason is because there was no year zero, so the counting started with 1 and went up to 100 before starting again at 101.

[jenstar]

Although oddly enough, the phrase "turn of the century" originally meant the point at which a century is half-over, i.e. 1 January XX51. But that sense appeared to suddenly die out early in the 20th century to be replaced by the meaning it has today.

[paulz]

so using bernardo's theory you are born a year old? argh that means i'm now 50 not 49!

[archbishop]

Actually Paulz at 49, you have completed 49 years and are now in your 50th year, but wont have completed 50 years until your 50th birthday.