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Metric System Day celebrates the day France led the rest of the world into the realm of new weights and measurements.
Adopted in France, April 7, 1795, the Metric System is the predominant method of weights and measurement in the world. Only three countries do not use the decimal based system as their formal method of measurement: Myanmar, Liberia and The United States.
Why does the rest of the world use it?
The metric system is simplicity and accuracy. As an American, this writer remembers debates about going metric as a child. For some reason, the American public thought it would be too hard if we converted. We love our miles, feet and pounds. Plus, many of our machinery parts are based upon the old system. It would be too much work to change over. Besides, the average American just couldn't get it. Those were the arguments at the time.
The fact is, the United States has been using the metric system in science, technology and research since the early 19th century. We already use it for most product and services. For example a bottle of wine is 750 milliliters. There are hold overs though. That fifth of Vodka, is a fifth of a gallon.
So why do Americans think it is so hard?
Short answer? It's different. Set that aside. Let me explain how simple it really is.
As a teen I found myself living in South America, and thus became acquainted with metric. To my surprise, it took less than a week to understand spatially the difference between a foot, yard and meter, or an inch, centimeter and foot. It didn't take long to realize that kilos made it seem like I weighed less than pounds, though I've always preferred to purchase petrol by the gallon rather than liter. Personally, I will always bake with cups. Four cups to a quart and four quarts to a gallon.
Then there is the whole temperature thing: Fahrenheit versus Celsius. Water boils at 212F degrees or 100C. This means 38 degrees C is hot, about 100 degrees F; but, 38 degrees F is almost freezing, or 2.5 degrees C.
Glad we cleared that up.
Frankly, using metrics, once you do, is far easier than the colloquial measurements of the US. Today is the day to give it a try. Merci, France!
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