Philip II of Spain decreed the change from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar, which affected much of Roman Catholic Europe, as Philip was at the time ruler over Spain and Portugal as well as much of Italy. In these territories, as well as in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (ruled by Anna Jagiellon) and in the Papal States, the new calendar was implemented on the date specified by the bull, with Julian Thursday, 4 October 1582, being followed by Gregorian Friday, 15 October 1582. The Spanish and Portuguese colonies followed somewhat later de facto because of delay in communication. COUNT 5
QSN1 What ruler decreed the change to the Gregorian calendar? ANS1 Philip II of Spain QSN2 Besides part of Italy, over what areas did Phillip rule? ANS2 Spain and Portugal QSN3 What was the first day selected to be the first day using the new calendar? ANS3 Friday, 15 October 1582 QSN4 What was the last day the Julian calendar was used? ANS4 Thursday, 4 October 1582 QSN5 Why did the Spanish colonies lag behind in adopting the calendar? ANS5 delay in communication