Actually, this particular fuck up goes much further back, it's attributed to Numa Pompilius (although this is back in the times of legend, so who knows in reality). Before then the year began in march and had 10 months, ending in December and matching the position in the year for November, October and September (and Quintilis and Sextilis as July and August were before they got renamed).

Even then, the newly added Ianuarius and Februarius were originally put at the end of the year. I don't think we really know who decided to shift new year or when it happened.

[–] ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.de 15 points 8 months ago

It was after Jesus asked them to move it because he wanted to have his birthday party near the end of the year so people could have an extended holiday. It gave time for people to travel to his party without having to worry about getting right back to work.

[–] psycotica0@lemmy.ca 7 points 8 months ago

Also fun fact, this is why February is the shortest month: because it used to be the end. So after the other months got their days, February just soaked up what was left.

Which makes it pretty bizarre to now be the second month which is the shortest and the only month that varies in length.

[–] PugJesus@lemmy.world 5 points 8 months ago

Came here to say this. Ain't nomenclature fun.