Dates in the 40K universe use the format of: abbbccc.Mdd
- a is an optional digit reflecting the date's accuracy
- bbb are optional digits representing the "day" (see below)
- ccc is the year
- M is an abbreviation for Millenium
- dd is the millenium
Working from large to small, the millenium is the thousands digit from a date, plus one. Thus, the years from 2000 to 2999 are part of M3
The hundreds to ones digit of the year translates directly, so the year 1492 becomes 492.M2, or 2006 becomes 006.M3
The "day" is a bit tricky, and divides a Terran year into 1000 equal time segments, each equaling approximately 8 hours (8.766 to be exact). The 8th of March is the 67th day of the year, and 12 noon on that day is 1596 hours into the year. Divide by 8.766 to get the Imperial "day" of 182
Accuracy Tag — This digit signifies the accuracy of the date in question, with lower numbers representing more accurate dates according to the following:
- 0 or 1 — Earth Standard Date, referring to an event that took place within the Sol system
- 2 — Direct: the source of the date was in direct psychic contact with Holy Terra when the reference was made
- 3 — Indirect: the source was in direct psychic contact with another Class 2 entity other than Holy Terra
- 4 — Corroborated: the source was in direct psychic contact with a Class 3 source
- 5 — Sub-Corroborated: the source was in direct psychic contact with a Corroborated source
- 6 — Non-Referenced 1 Year: the source was not in psychic contact with a Class 1-5 source when the reference was made, but the date belongs to an established sequence that begins or ends with a Class 1-5 source reference. The unsourced period is no greater than 1 Standard Year
- 7 — Non-Referenced 10 Years: as Class 6, but with a gap greater than 1 but less than 10 Standard Years
- 8 — Non-Referenced Greater Than 10 Years: as Class 6, but with a gap greater than 10 Standard Years
- 9 — Approximated: a date with no fixed reference at either end of a sequence, or an approximated date from an archaic or non-Imperial system
SIGNIFICANT ANNUAL EVENTS
CANDLEMAS — This holiday celebrates the end of the year, taking place on the last day of the year.
DAY OF ASCENSION — This holy day celebrates the Emperor's ascension to the Golden Throne.
EMPEROR'S DAY — This holiday takes place on the first day of the year, honoring the Emperor
NOVENA — An Imperial celebration.
Last revised - 23 November 2006