Why Did Samoa Skip a Day? Understanding Date Line Changes

Discover why Samoa skipped a day in December 2011, and how it reshaped its calendar for trade alignment.

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Samoa skipped a day in December 2011. The country decided to move from the eastern side of the International Date Line to the western side to better align its days with Australia and New Zealand, its main trading partners. Midnight on December 29, 2011, was directly followed by December 31, 2011, effectively skipping December 30.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What caused Samoa to skip a day in December 2011? Samoa moved from the eastern to the western side of the International Date Line to better align its days with Australia and New Zealand.
  2. How does the International Date Line affect countries? The International Date Line determines the calendar day; crossing it can lead to skipping days or repeating them, affecting trade and daily life.
  3. What other countries have made similar changes to their calendars? Other countries have adjusted their calendars, although Samoa's 2011 change is one of the most notable due to its significant impact.