The function leans on attributes of the data that are provided by one of the
"create" functions in this package (e.g. create_dyadyears()
or
create_stateyears()
).
Be advised that "jan1" and "dec31" are alternate specifications for
"first" and "last" respectively and exist as kind of a nudge for what you
want to conceptualize the inputs for your year to be what is observed at its
start or at its end. Obviously, there was no Jan. 1, 1954 or Dec. 31, 1875
for the Republic of Vietnam.