Happy 3018 A.Dep.!

Today in Masonic History it is 3018 Anno Depositionis (A.Dep.)!

The year is 3018 Anno Depositionis or In the Year of the Deposit.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who reads Today in Masonic History. We are now in our fourth year of operation. I have heard from many of you who have read the site, our daily posts on social media and our daily emails thanking us for the work. I can assure you, it isn't work. I cannot describe how enjoyable it is to read about brothers, both well known and no so well known, and see how they fit into Masonic History and the History of the World.

In 2018 we have some plans to enhance your experience on our site and possible integrate some videos. Be patient, it is a work in progress.

For those looking for some Masonic knowledge today here is a list of the current years and how they associate with Freemasonry:

• It is 6018 Anno Lucis or In the Year of Light. This is the most common of dates for Blue Lodge Freemasonry. It is found simply by adding 4000 to the current year. This represents the Biblical start of the human race.
• It is 5779 Anno Mundi or In the Year of the World. This is a date used by Scottish Rite and is taken from the Hebrew Calendar which holds that the date of creation was October 17th, 3761 B.C.E. The date is found by adding 3761 to the current date, although some traditions have it that the year is 3760.
• It is 900 Anno Ordinis or In the Year of the Order. This is used by the Knights Templar, which is part of the York Rite system in the United States. The date is based on the founding of the Knights Templar or the Poor Fellow Soldiers of Christ. It was in 1118 that the Order was started and the date is found by subtracting 1118 from the current date.
• It is 2548 Anno Inventionis or In the Year of the Discovery. This date is used by Royal Arch Masons and commemorates the building of the Second Temple by Zerubbabel. The date is found by adding 530 to the date. 530 represents 530 B.C.E. the year Zerubbabel built the second temple.
• As already stated it is 3018 Anno Depositionis or In the Year of the Deposit. This is used by Royal and Select Masters and Cryptic Masons. It is believed that Solomon's Temple was completed in 1000 B.C.E. so the Anno Depositionis can be found by adding 1000 to the current date.

I wish everyone great success in your Masonic and non-Masonic endeavors over the coming year.

This article provided by Brother Eric C. Steele.