Samoa skipped December 30, 2011 and therefore did not exist on our planet for a day. Samoa has shifted the date line to the east, making it one of the first countries to ring in 2012. The reason for the shift is mainly economic. In 1892, the opposite occurred when the country had more relations with America.
Samoa
The country of Samoa (179,000 inhabitants), which was discovered by the Dutchman Jacob Roggeveen in 1722, has decided to move the date line from west to east. Only American Samoa remains east of the date line. The same has happened to the neighboring island of Tokelau.
This phenomenon also took place in Samoa in 1892, but in the opposite direction. The country then wanted to improve economic relations with America. The 4th of July (Independence Day in America) then took place twice.
Rode
The reason for moving the date line is mainly due to the economic interests for the country. As Samoa increasingly trades with Australia and New Zealand, companies have urged the Prime Minister to move the date line in favor of businesses.
When it was Monday in Australia or New Zealand it was still Sunday in Samoa. And when it was Friday in Samoa, it was already Saturday in Australia and New Zealand. As a result, Samoa only had 4 working days a week. The change will ensure that Samoa will soon have 5-6 working days to trade with its neighbors in Oceania.
Implications
December 30 never took place in Samoa. This means that all people who were born on December 30 and therefore celebrate their birthday do not have a birthday. Technically, Samoa never existed on December 30, 2011.
Employees in Samoa do not have to fear a day’s lower wages. The government has decided that the day will be compensated by paying the same monthly salary as would have been the case before.
Samoa will be one of the first countries where 2012 will start. Samoa used to be one of the last islands where the New Year was celebrated . Tokelau will be the first island to start the new year. American Samoa will now be one of the last countries to ring in the new year.
For tourists, this means that Samoa and American Samoa can celebrate the holidays twice in a row. This is a huge advantage for the tourism sector because both Samoa and American Samoa benefit from the income generated from this. American Samoa is only a one-hour flight from Samoa. This gives tourists enough time to celebrate both holidays on both islands.
Who preceded Samoa?
The Philippines moved the date line after it was no longer part of Spain’s colonies. Previously, the Philippines mainly traded with Spain’s South American colonies. When this was abolished, the date line was moved to the east.
Alaska used to be part of Russia. This part of Russia was one of the first to celebrate the new year. Since America bought
the state , for political and economic reasons, Alaska is one of the last parts of Earth to greet the new year. Kiribati decided in 1995 to move the border that split the two islands to the west. This means that the entire archipelago lies on the east side of the date line. The reason was mainly the trading activities that were conducted. If it was already Monday in western Kiribati, it was still Sunday in eastern Kiribati. This severely hampered trading activities.