Time continues to move forward, which becomes noticeable as we transition into March. Even though this year, it seems unnecessary to change the calendar page since the days of the week remain the same as February until the 28th. The two months share little in common beyond that.
In March, there are birthdays to celebrate with cards to send and important cooperative meetings and dinners not to be missed. There are also appointments that require attention. I appreciate that my calendar still marks Sunday as the first day of the week, unlike my daily planner which designates Sunday as the last day. This discrepancy made me think about the history of calendars, revealing their complexity.
Calendars are based on the science of chronology, the study of recording and arranging events in chronological order. According to the National Dictionary definition from 1941, a calendar serves as a record of days, weeks, and months, with origins in the Latin word “calendarium,” meaning an “interest register” or “account book.” At one point, there was a proposed calendar reform for thirteen months of twenty-eight days each, but the idea was not implemented.
Josephus Justus Scaliger, a prominent figure in chronology, contributed significantly to the field. Born in France in 1540, his work in predicting eclipses and publishing influential books led to him being dubbed “the founder of modern chronology.” Scaliger’s expertise spanned multiple languages and cultures, allowing him to delve into ancient texts for his research.
Through history, various civilizations utilized different calendar systems, with Julius Caesar introducing leap years and Pope Gregory XIII devising the Gregorian calendar in 1852. While the Gregorian calendar is widely used, there are alternative calendars like the Ethiopian, Bangla, and Chinese calendars. The challenge of chronometry, or timekeeping, is apparent across these diverse systems.
The word “chronicles” may resonate with those familiar with the Bible, as it appears in the titles of the First and Second Book of Chronicles in the Old Testament. These books, translating to “word of days” in Hebrew, recount real people’s lives, offering lessons and reflections on human nature.
In exploring these topics, sources like EBSCO and Britannica Online Encyclopedia provide valuable insights. Renae B. Vander Schaaf, an independent writer, can be reached via email at agripen@live.com or phone at 605-530-0017.
(Fact Check: The Gregorian calendar was actually introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582, not 1852 as mentioned in the article)
