The calendar used today by most people in North America and Europe had its beginnings in the ancient Roman calendar. In fact, the word “calendar” came from the Latin word Kalendae, which was the Romans called the first day of every month. How the Roman calendar developed and changes tells us a great deal about how the Western calendar system works today.
Each Roman month had 3 fixed points: the Kalends, the Nones and the Ides. The Ides generally fell at the full moon of the lunar month. In March, May, July and October, the Nones were the 7th day, and the Ides the 15th. In the other months the Nones were the 5th day, and the Ides the 13th.
At one time the ancient Roman calendar had only 10 months. The year began in March, when farmers began their work for the coming growing season. At some point, perhaps as early as 153 B.C., the Romans changed to a 12-month system and moved the beginning of the year to January.
The 12 -month Roman year originally consisted of 355 days. March, May, July and October had 31 days. February had 28, and the other months had 29. Because this year did not fit with the actual solar year, extra days were added each year to make the calendar more correct. The extra period, called the Intercalaris, was usually 22 or 23 days long.
Over the years this calendar became wildly out of sequence with the natural cycle. In 46 B.C. the Roman leader Julius Caesar decided that it had to be revised. He introduced a calendar that had 365 days, and he established the leap year system by adding an extra day every 4 years. This new calendar became known as the Julian calendar, named for its inventor.
All in all, the calendar used today in North America and Europe owes much to the old Roman System. Starting the new year on January 1 and adding leap years are just two examples of Roman influence. From the Romans, too, come the names of the months and the system of starting the day at midnight.
Interesting Facts for Kids 