The The Centennial of Introduction of the Gregorian Calendar and the Central European Time

Abstract

On February 25, 1918, the Small Council of the Central Council adopted a law introducing the Gregorian calendar (chronology, or new style) and Central European time on February 16. The innovation came into effect on February 16, 1918 according to the old style. The last two days of February fell off the calendar, and February 16 became March 1. Most historians believe that the Ukrainian government had made this decision for the country’s transition to European principles, because it was at that time that the Central Rada badly needed allies to fight the Bolsheviks. However, this is not quite so.