There was an event at the New York Historical Society to celebrate the publication of the journals of Arthur Schlesinger Jr.
It was basically coincidence that I ended up there, but the event managed to be entertaining and stiff at the same time.
Having been asked to summarize the last millennium Mr. Schlesinger Jr. answered: “I’m glad it’s over.” (To avoid misunderstandings Mr. Schlesinger Jr. has passed away; this anecdote about him was told by one of the panelists.)
The same of course could have been said (and probably has been said) about the last century.
I don’t doubt that this century will fit into the same category.