Sir, - A couple of comments on Mr Peter Langley's letter (January 16th).
Every schoolchild doesn't know that Jesus was born on the night of December 24th, the day and month of his birth are unknown, even the year is unknown. It may have been as early as 7 BC as Mr Langley says; it was certainly before the death of Herod in 4 BC.
I cannot see the relevance of Mr Langley's references to annus ab incarnatione Domini and annus gratiae, these were merely alternative names for annus Domini and would have the same numbering; I was not aware that the year ever started on Christmas Day.
In spite of Mr Langley's ingenious efforts to find a year 0 I still hold that the new millennium will begin on January 1st, 2001. - Yours, etc.,
Rosapenna, Downings,
Co Donegal.