Calendar timeline
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Most of the world's countries and cultures use the Gregorian calendar, but some
base their calendars on more ancient systems. Other countries have adopted an alternative
calendar at some point in their history.
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3761 BC
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Jewish calendar starts
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2637 BC
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Original Chinese calendar starts
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45 BC
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Julian calendar adopted by Roman Empire
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0
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Christian calendar starts
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79
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Hindu calendar starts
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597
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Julian calendar adopted in Britain
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622
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Islamic calendar starts
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1582
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Gregorian calendar introduced in Catholic countries
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1752
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Julian calendar abandoned, Gregorian calendar adopted in Britain and its colonies, including America
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1873
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Japan adopts the Gregorian calendar
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1949
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China adopts the Gregorian calendar
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Indian calendar
The Indian calendar is based on the motions of the Sun and Moon and is dated from
the so-called Saaka Era, equivalent to AD 79. It is used for dating religious and
other festivals, but the Gregorian calendar is used for official dates.
| | Months | Days | Gregorian date which coincides with firstDay |
| 1 | Chaitra | 30* | 22 March |
| 2 | Vaisakha | 31 | 21 April |
| 3 | Jyaistha | 31 | 22 May |
| 4 | Ashaada | 31 | 22 June |
| 5 | Sraavana | 31 | 23 July |
| 6 | Bhaadra | 31 | 23 August |
| 7 | Asvina | 30 | 23 September |
| 8 | Kaartika | 30 | 23 October |
| 9 | Agrahayana | 30 | 22 November |
| 10 | Pausa | 30 | 22 December |
| 11 | Maagha | 30 | 21 January |
| 12 | Phalguna | 30 | 20 February |
Hebrew and Islamic calendars
The Hebrew(Jewish)and Islamic(Muslim)calendars are based on the lunar(Moon) cycle.
Every month starts approximately on the day of a new Moon, or when a crescent is
first seven after a new Moon. But because the visibility of the Moon varies according
to the weather, the start date cannot be determined in advance, so printed calendars
may vary by a few days. Tishri/Muharram corresponds approximately with September/October
in the Gregorian calendar, Heshvan/Safar with October/November, and so on.
| | Hebrew months | Days | Islamic months |
| 1 | Tishri | 30 | Muharram (Holy month) |
| 2 | Heshvan | 29 | Safar |
| 3 | Kislev | 30 | Rabi'a 1 |
| 4 | Tevet | 29 | Rabi'a 2 |
| 5 | Shevat | 30 | Jumada 1 |
| 6 | Adar | 29 | Jumada 2 |
| 7 | Nisan | 30 | Rajab (Holy month) |
| 8 | Iyar | 29 | Sha'ban |
| 9 | Sivan | 30 | Ramadan (Fasting month) |
| 10 | Tammuz | 29 | Shawwal |
| 11 | Av | 30 | Dhu al-Q'adah (Holy month) |
| 12 | Elul | 29 | Dhu al-Hijjah |