31 December 1930

The Lost Day

The irregular course of the (Gregorian) calendar led to various reform attempts that started in the 18th century already. A more well-organized calendar would make life easier and stimulate the economy. The founding of the International Fixed Calendar League (IFCL) in 1923 gave a new impulse to the movement.
The IFCL argued in favour of a year of 13 months and 28 days. Every month always started on a Sunday and lasted four weeks. The more regular distribution however resulted in 364 days. The last day, after Saturday 28 December and before Sunday 1 January, was left over. As it couldn't be named a Monday or any other day and didn't fit in the months, it was just called 'yearday'.
Its first years the IFCL seemed to have some influence in the League of Nations, but this decreased during the crisis of the thirties. Economically there were more important things going on, and it was feared that people had too much difficulty say goodbye to their old birthdays and holidays.

See also:

•  A Matter of Time (Web Expo)
•  International Fixed Calendar League archive

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