TO KNOW THE STARRY HEAVENS 
109 
In this way the comparatively simple 
calendar of Sosigenes was upset and a 
complexity introduced into the calen- 
dar which has remained there these 
two thousand years, forcing millions 
to learn that “thirty days hath Sep- 
tember.” There has been much agita- 
Year’s day, a day with no other title. 
It is not January 1 nor is it named as 
a day of the week. If the day before 
it is Sunday, December 31, the day 
following is Monday, January 1. This 
is followed by four quarters of three 
months each, the first and second 
fsTew/ Years Day 
First Quarter 
January 
February 
March ' J 
Second Quarter 
April 
May 
June 
Third Quarter 
July 
August 
September 
Fourth Quarter 
Leap Da y 
October 
November 
December 
Monday 
1 a 15 22 29 
6 13 20 
27 
4 11 10 25 
Tuesday 
2 9 16 23 30 
7 14 21 
20 
5 12 19 26 
Wednesday 
3 10 17 24 
1 8 IS 22 
29 
6 13 20 27 
Thursday 
4 11 18 25 
Z 9 16 23 
30 
7 14 21 20 
Friday 
5 12 19 26 
3 10 17 24 
1 0 15 22 29 
Saturday 
6 13 20 27 
4 11 16 25 
2 9 16 23 30 
5unday 
7 14 21 20 
5 12 19 2 6 
3 IO 17 24 31 
Figure 2. Calendar proposed by The American Committee on the Reform of 
the Calendar. The above figures apply to the months named above them. 
tion for relief from this unscientific 
calendar. 
Those seeking a change naturally 
look to astronomers for leadership and 
advice. If the change is to be made it 
must be by agreement between nearly 
all of the nations. The matter stands 
thus: In July, 1919, the representa- 
tives of astronomy in the allied and 
associated nations met in Brussels to 
create the International Astronomical 
Union. Belgium, France, Great Brit- 
ain, Italy and the United States were 
represented. Calendar reform was not 
the principal purpose of the Union, but 
it is the subject we are now discussing. 
Thirty-two committees were consti- 
tuted for various duties, the last of 
which was the Committee on the Re- 
form of the Calendar. Cardinal Mer- 
cier was made honorary chairman ; 
Bigourdan, a Frenchman, chairman : 
Campbell and Crawford are the Ameri- 
cans on the committee. 
In addition to the international union 
there is an American section of the 
union with its corresponding commit- 
tees. Jacoby serves in addition to the 
two named above on the com- 
mittee on the reform of the cal- 
endar. This American committee ex- 
pects to suggest to the international 
committee the following reformed cal- 
endar: The years to begin with New 
months to consist of thirty days and 
the third of thirty-one days. This ac- 
counts for the 365 days of an ordinary 
year. In leap year another day is 
added, preferably at the end of the 
year, and this day, like New Year’s 
day, is not a day of a week or month. 
This may be called Leap day. The 
calendar in print would appear as 
shown. 
The following advantages may be 
noted : The quarters are of equal 
length ; the extra day, the thirty-first, 
always falls on Sunday, making the 
same number of week days in each 
month. The first, fifteenth and thir- 
tieth, important business days, always 
fall on week days ; holidays fixed by 
date, such as July 4th, always fall on 
the same day of the week. The calen- 
dar is the same for any year. It seems 
likely that if the new calendar is 
adopted a fixed date will be adopted 
for Easter. This has also been urged. 
At the invitation of Italy the Inter- 
national Astronomical Union meets 
this year at Rome — in April, I think. 
Tt meets at intervals of three years. 
Suggestions will be received from other 
countries. Actual adoption of a new 
calendar could only be made by action 
by the legislative bodies of the various 
countries. 
