This is sort of an interesting topic I have encountered throughout my life, and one I was reminded of in my recent thread. I recently said that the last person from the 1800s died, but two people from the 19th century was alive. I then asked why there where articles claiming she was the last person from the 19th century alive (2 people alive in 1900), expecting some jest and online batter for the stupid journalism we have today. But then people said that the articles are correct, and some starting pointing the laughs towards me, though I admit it did appear a bit stupid considering the way I wrote it. Anyway, now doing a quick search of Google would disprove that, as it specifically states that the 19th century ended on December 31st, 1900. 

So I'm thinking to myself why do people think this is true? Is Google wrong? Well no, it isn't, I checked many different sources, it is right. But then I was reminded of y2k, and the buzz around it. People were so excited for the new millennium, and for a new century. But only the first part was right. Hell, even my parents thought that way. But I remember talking to my grade 4 teacher about this, who was always correcting everyone (what a bitch), and I remember her telling me that the 21st century actually starts in 2001. So I thought that was rediculous, everyone else was saying  that it ended this year, but nonetheless, I searched it up online when I got home (back when we all truely hated it). And she was correct! I ever remember encountering a few articles that talked about this, and yes, almost everyone was wrong about it.

Anyway, I thought this was interesting to explore. I do wonder if some people will be surprised when they see this for the first time, especially since this false truth is so widely spread at this point. 

I don't give too much importance to any year, simply because the earth does not know nor does it care about when we decided year 0 was. Same with "Friday the 13th" and stuff like that.

More on topic though, no, I didn't know this. But I'll stick with the "wrong" system, cuz it makes more sense to me :P

Because logically you'd think the century starts at 1st January 1900 as it's a nice number and makes sense to count in 100's this way.

But if you think deeper you realised we started on the 1st January 0001 therefore the first century ended once we got to 1st January 0101 as 100 years had gone by. If it ended in 0100 only 99 years had gone by.

Was that the goal of your previous thread? To see how many people would try to correct you? Anyways, it's because for many people it's over when the number 18 disappears and it becomes 1900, even if it is else.

Still wierd to me that in english the 19th century actually is (in my language) the 18th century.

Of course not. Well, not initially. But seeing how piss poor journalism is, I wanted to see how people reacted. Of course, I also knew there was a possibility people would think that I was wrong, and the articles where right, but given the audience this site has, I wanted to see for myself. 

i think it has to do with the first century being 0000. 0001, 0002, 0003, all the way to 0099 then 100.

so year 100 is the 2nd century. its simple basic monkey human thot.

Humans work in a decimal system. However, must of us view it as going from 0 to 9, instead of 1 to 0, so must people think 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 and then the new one at 0, instead of 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 and then the new one at 1. That's my guess.

1st Century: 0001-0100 YEAR

2nd Century: 0101-0200 YEAR

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So if its year 155 you are in the 2nd century. sounds confusing but its not really. 

I blame the church. Why was the first year Jesus was born "year 1 anno domini" instead of "year 0 anno domini"?