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Confusing Words: Historic vs Historical

There is the past, and then there are important events in the past. We have historical societies, historical libraries, and then we have historic dates and events.


What has been a historic event that has happened in your lifetime?



 

Historical

Historical is used to describe anything that relates to the past or relates to history.


  1. The museum houses a vast collection of historical artifacts, including ancient pottery and medieval armor.

  2. The historian spent years researching and writing a comprehensive book on the historical development of democracy in ancient Greece.

  3. The town's historical society organizes guided tours of the oldest buildings, offering visitors a glimpse into its rich past.

  4. The documentary series explores the historical context behind some of the most famous battles in world history.

  5. Studying primary sources such as letters and diaries provides valuable insights into the daily lives of people during different historical periods.

All of the examples above, relate to the past.


 

Historic

Historic is used to describe something of importance in regard to history. For example, you can have a historic event, a historic battle, a historic date and a historic figure. All of which refer to something important about the past.


  1. The signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 was a historic moment that marked the birth of the United States.

  2. The Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969 was a historic achievement for humankind, symbolizing our ability to reach beyond Earth's boundaries.

  3. The historic town square is lined with charming buildings dating back to the 18th century, preserving its unique character.

  4. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech delivered at the Lincoln Memorial in 1963 is considered a historic moment in the civil rights movement.

  5. The discovery of the Rosetta Stone in 1799 was a historic breakthrough in deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, unlocking a wealth of historical knowledge.

All of the examples above relate to the past, however there is something important in regards to each example.



This article was short and sweet! Comment about something historic that interests you in the comments.

 
 
 

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