<P> From 1155 to 1752, the civil or legal year in England began on 25 March (Lady Day) so for example the execution of Charles I was recorded at the time in parliament as happening on 30 January 1648 (Old Style). In modern English language texts this date is usually shown as "30 January 1649" (New Style). The corresponding date in the Gregorian calendar is 9 February 1649, the date by which his contemporaries in some parts of continental Europe would have recorded his execution . </P> <P> The O.S. / N.S. designation is particularly relevant for dates which fall between the start of the "historical year" (1 January) and the official start date, where different . This was 25 March in England, Wales and the colonies until 1752 . </P> <P> During the years between the first introduction of the Gregorian calendar in continental Europe and its introduction in Britain, contemporary usage in England started to change . In Britain 1 January was celebrated as the New Year festival, but the "year starting 25th March was called the Civil or Legal Year, although the phrase Old Style was more commonly used ." To reduce misunderstandings about the date, it was normal in parish registers to place a new year heading after 24 March (for example "1661") and another heading at the end of the following December, "1661 / 62", a form of dual dating to indicate that in the following few weeks the year was 1661 Old Style but 1662 New Style . Some more modern sources, often more academic ones, also use the "1661 / 62" style for the period between 1 January and 25 March for years before the introduction of the Gregorian calendar in England . (See for example The History of Parliament). </P> <P> Scotland had already partly made the change: its calendar year had begun on 1 January since 1600 . </P>

When did new year change from march to january