Actually, the 1787 theory is not as crazy as it first seems: the UK only moved from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar in the 1750s.
Under the Julian Calendar, the year ticked over on 25 March (Lady Day - the feast of the Anunciation (i.e. conception)), so 26 Jan would still be 1787. Lady Day was the first of the quarter (rent) days (and why the UK tax year is still 6 April).
Regnal years make it even more confusing - George III only became king in October, so again Jan 26 might have been counted as still in 1787 - the administrative year would have started from the anniversary of the king's ascent to the throne.
Interesting.
But it's not the Gregorian vs. Julian calendar debate, that had The Age all messed up. I'm told that, in line with their political leanings, Jaspan ordered that the Khmer Rouge calendar should be used. The real mistake was Josh Gordon's inability to count back from Year Zero.
The video was terrific. I miss Clive James on our screens.
Wasn't Ray Martin a tosser?
The Age makes basic factual errors yet again. Pathetic.
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