When does the 3rd Millennium begin?

It's easy! - count from the beginning:

As I write this, the year is 1999. These years are counted from 1 AD (otherwise known as 1 CE; the year before that was 1 BC, or 1 BCE.)

To complete the 2nd millennium, we have to complete 2000 years: 1, 2, ... , 2000.

The 2nd millennium therefore ends on Dec 31, 2000, and the 3rd millennium begins on Jan 1, 2001.

Up to History page. Copyright (C) Anthony P. Stone 1996. This material may be freely used, provided the author is acknowledged.

Last updated: 04 January 2005