The word palindrome is derived from the Greek palíndromos, meaning running back again (palín = AGAIN + drom–, drameîn = RUN). A palindrome is a word or phrase which reads the same in both directions. It doesn’t necessarily be a word or phrase, it could also be numbers just like our date today in month-day-year (MM-DD-YEAR) pattern. The date can be read as a mirror image.

The last time this happened was Oct. 2, 2001 — or 10-02-2001. The amazing thing is, the one before that was Aug. 31, 1380 or 08-31-1380. Our next one — the third of 12 palindrome dates in the 21st century — will pop up Nov. 2, 2011 or 11-02-2011.

“Palindrome dates are notably rare. They only occur in the first few centuries of a millennium,” said Inan, who was featured last week on the puzzle corner of the New York Times’ Web site.

The 36th and last palindrome date of this millennium will occur on Sept. 22, 2290. The next one after that will be Oct. 3, 3001.

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