4th of July

[jakeyg]

Why is the 4th of July called that in dd/mm/yyyy date format and not July the 4th in american mm/dd/yyyy?

and where did the american date format come from, it's never made much sense as the time format hh/mm/ss is incrementing down, that the date format increment jumps around.

 

[CajunCenturion]

I look forward to the day when everyone adopts the ISO 8601 standard - YYYY-MM-DD - but I'm not holding my breath.

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[Dimandja]

I suspect when the US became independent, it was not that americanized yet. European standards were still popular (except for those taxes, and something to do with tea).

And, since the 4th of July celebrationss occurred regularly every year, the habit endured. Besides, 4th of July sounds more festive... Like Cinco de Mayo.

 

[dyarwood]

Would July the 4th have sounded festive today if had been called "July the 4th" from day 1

 

[Dimandja]

I don't know.

Most holidays are known chiefly by their name, not their date. Christmas, Thanksgiving, Labor day, Memorial Day, etc.

4th of July seems to be an exception. (Saying "Independence Day" evokes images of invading aliens)

 

[strongm]

>everyone adopts the ISO 8601 standard - YYYY-MM-DD

Hmm - great for computers (and alphanumeric sorting), not necessarily great for humans ...

 

[Thadeus]

Saying "Independence Day" evokes images of invading aliens

ahh, but it didn't until the movie. I was born on July 4 and have been besieged with red, white and blue gifts from my mother ever since. At least she stopped dressing me as Uncle Sam before I turned 10.

~Thadeus

 

[CajunCenturion]

==> Hmm - great for computers (and alphanumeric sorting), not necessarily great for humans ...

I guess humans do have to factor into the mix.

Why not ISO 8601, and the metric system for everyone too!

To Dream
The Impossible Dream ...


Good Luck
--------------
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As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

 

[Stella740pl]

and the metric system for everyone too!
I am all for it! Where do I vote?

 

[SkipVought]

It is common knowledge in the States, that in Great Britain, the July Calendar proceeds...
[tt]
1...2...3...5...6
[/tt]
'cuz THEY don't have the [highlight red][white]4^th[/white][/highlight] [highlight white][blue]of[/blue][/highlight] [highlight blue][red]July![/red][/highlight]

Skip,

_{[red]Be advised:[/red]To be safe on the FOURTH, don't take a FIFTH on the THIRD, or...
You might not come FORTH on the FIFTH!}

 

[jakeyg]

you had that question at an interview too then

 

[sleipnir214]

strongm:
CajunCenturion:
ISO 8601 dates aren't necessarily human-unfriendly. I use ISO 8601 formatted dates on my personal checks. This may be multiple years of MySQL database use talking, though.


Want the best answers? Ask the best questions!

TANSTAAFL!!

 

[CajunCenturion]

I understand sleipnir214, but don't your comments assume some level of humanity on your part?

Good Luck
--------------
To get the most from your Tek-Tips experience, please read FAQ181-2886
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[sleipnir214]

Not necessarily. I have to write those checks to somebody.


Want the best answers? Ask the best questions!

TANSTAAFL!!

 

[GwydionM]

In Britain, the norm is day-month, 18th March, 31st December etc. But we always speak of "April the First". Some things are just habit.


------------------------------
An old man who lives in the UK

 

[SantaMufasa]

Yes, I believe we should change "Fourth of July" to "July Fourth" the day after the UK makes the change to "Day of Fawkes, Guy", "Day of Christmas", "Sunday that is Easter", and "Day of Boxing". <grin>

"July Fourth" may sound synonymous with "Fourth of July" to non-celebrants, but to Yanks, it is the name for that day, even moreso than "Independence Day".

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)

http://www.dasages.com

Do you use Oracle and live or work in Utah, USA?
Then click here to join Utah Oracle Users Group on Tek-Tips.

 

[jakeyg]

Day of Christmas it is now...mmm yers....
</Yoda>