The keys or index figures in accordance with the Gregorian reform are these:—
| CENTURIES. | KEYS. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1400 | 2 | |||
| 1500 | - | 1 till October 4, 1582. | ||
| 5 from October 15, 1582. | ||||
| 1600 | 4 | |||
| 1700 | 2 | |||
| 1800 | 0 | |||
The Papal decree of October, 1582, was adopted in France in December, 1582, in Poland in 1586, in the Catholic States of Germany in 1583, in the Protestant German States, through Weigel’s Calendar, in 1700, in Denmark and Switzerland soon after the adoption in Germany, in England in September, 1752, whereas Russia still adheres to the Julian Calendar. Thus the Russian legal equinoxes are now twelve days in advance of the real equinoxes.
In England the years used to begin upon the 25th March, but it was declared that 1752 should end on the 31st December, and 1753 begin on the day formerly called the 1st January, 1752. At that time the people in England used to write the new style under the old, thus:—
30th June, 11th July, 1753.
25th February, 1753. 8th March, 1754.
The death of Charles I. took place on Tuesday, January 30, 1648, as written at that time, but it is now written January 30, 1649, and often expressed by historians thus:—January 30, 1648-9.
In Scotland, the day after 31st December, 1599, was called 1st January, 1600.
The 4th August, 1581, was a Friday in all parts of Europe, but from 1582 to 1752 there was a variance in various parts, as there still is at present, between the east and the west of Europe. The variance was in the days of the month; the days of the week never changed. The 2nd September, 1752, was a Wednesday in England and in Russia, but a Saturday in the other States of Europe. Thus we find the 20th December, 1647, for England and Russia, through 0 + 2 + 1 = 3 = Monday, but for Italy, France, Spain, etc., through 4 + 2 + 1 = 7 - 7 = 0 = Friday. The 14th September, 1752, was a Monday in Russia, but a Thursday in England and the other European States. The 21st June, 1887, was a Tuesday in England, but in Russia it was twelve days later, that is, a Sunday, namely, the Sunday on which we had the 3rd of July. The Russians had the 9th June, 1887, on a Tuesday, that is the day on which we had the 21st June; and in writing to us they express that day thus:—June 9 21, 1887. They have the key 6 for 1700, and 5 for 1800.