HIS 110
Ancient History: 1900 and 1970

The record shows two great bursts of activity in antiquity: 1 January 1900 and 1 January 1970. On each, an astonishing number of files were created, people born and invoices issued, all at exactly midnight. Students weigh the competing theories of what happened on those two days, and why so little is recorded in between. The course closes with the prophecy of 19 January 2038, on which, ancient text files foretell, time will end.