20/02/2002 00:00
Doing anything tonight?
If you are one of those people who like experiencing and entering in their diaries unusual events which they have lived through and can tell their grandchildren about - be prepared this evening at an hour or so after it gets dark. No, it's not an eclipse of the sun or the moon, nor is it the spectacular passage of a seldom-seen comet across the heavens. You can enjoy this almost unique happening in the comfort of your own home and it will only detain you for sixty seconds - so you needn't worry about missing too much of The Simpsons on Sky or A Question of Sport on BBC1, Olympic Grandstand on BBC 2 or, even, Emmerdale on ITV. The magic moment will come when the hour hand of the clock points at eight and the minute hand at two this evening on this day the 20th of February 2002. If that doesn't seem to suggest an earth-shaking event, let me put it down in figures: 20.02.20.02.2002. Now are we any nearer? It's one of the very rare numerical palindromes that occur with times and dates - that is to say, the numbers read the same either way. Words are more often used for palindromes than figures: madam is the most often quoted and is sometimes extended for Adam's introduction to Eve, Madam, I'm Adam, although the punctuation does rather get in the way. One of the better long palindromes is the medieval, Lewd I did live & evil did I dwel. It will not be until 12 minutes past nine on the evening of December 21, 2112 that another numerical palindrome of this kind comes along. So enjoy this evening's while you have the chance!
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