Changes

In 1582, however, the pope's writ no longer ran all over Europe, because of the [[Reformation]]. Protestant countries were very slow to adopt this new papal calendar, and [[Great Britain]] and its colonies did not adopt the new calendar until 1752, by which time the difference between the two calendars had risen to eleven days. The Act of Parliament that instituted the new calendar stipulated that all birthdays should be expressed on the new calendar. This is why, for example, that [[George Washington]]'s birthday is celebrated on February 22, when he was actually born on February 11 at a time when the old calendar was still in force.

In 1582, however, the pope's writ no longer ran all over Europe, because of the [[Reformation]]. Protestant countries were very slow to adopt this new papal calendar, and [[Great Britain]] and its colonies did not adopt the new calendar until 1752, by which time the difference between the two calendars had risen to eleven days. The Act of Parliament that instituted the new calendar stipulated that all birthdays should be expressed on the new calendar. This is why, for example, that [[George Washington]]'s birthday is celebrated on February 22, when he was actually born on February 11 at a time when the old calendar was still in force.