a period of 1,000 years. The Gregorian calendar, put forth in 1582 and subsequently adopted by most countries, did not include a year 0 in the transition from BC (years before Christ) to AD (those since his birth). Thus, the 1st millennium is defined as spanning years 1–1000 and the 2nd the years 1001–2000. Although numerous popular celebrations marked the start of the year 2000, the 21st century and 3rd millennium AD began on January 1, 2001.