1971 Event After 1,200 years Britain abandons 12-shilling system for decimal 1968 Event 1st decimal coins issued in Britain (5 and 10 pence) 1966 Event Australia introduces 1st decimal currency postage stamps 1961 Event British government begins decimal coin system 1871 Event The decimal currency system is made uniform in Canada 1858 Event Canada begins using decimal currency system 1857 Event England passes an act putting Canada on the decimal currency system 1851 Birthday Melvil[le Louis K] Dewey, created Dewey Decimal System for libraries 1786 Event Congress adopts silver dollar and decimal system of money 1785 Event Congress resolves U.S. currency named "dollar" and adopts decimal coinage
