Historic and historical are often interchanged terms that can easily lead to confusion. Both describe significant events from history; however, their definitions vary slightly.
Historic events refer to significant real-world occurrences that have left an indelible mark on society, like a major battle or landmark building. Historical events refer to past records and information. Here are a few simple tips to remember when to use each word:
1. The Declaration of Independence
Histories both provide accounts of events from the past; however, history typically describes something more significant or impactful whereas historic can be used to refer to anything from that period.
Both terms end in “ic,” but historic is usually more specific and widely recognized than historical. Additionally, it’s used more frequently when discussing specific times or events – for instance, The Declaration of Independence can be considered a historic event.
2. The Stonewall Riots
Historic and historical are often used interchangeably, yet each term has distinct meanings. Historic generally refers to something notable or significant from history while historical encompasses any event that happened in the past.
Always refer to important events from the past as historical. Additionally, historical may also refer to buildings or artifacts which are very old.
3. The Great Depression
Many people tend to confuse historic and historical, yet it’s essential to keep both terms separate. Historic denotes significant events or structures of past history while historical refers to older buildings or artifacts of that history.
Remembering the difference between historic (ending in “ic”) and historical (beginning with an “a”) can also help you avoid misusing these terms.
4. The Civil War
An historic event is any significant or noteworthy moment in American history that stands out. For example, the Civil War stands out as being one of these moments because it caused such profound transformations within American culture and history.
Historic and historical are not synonymous terms, but can often be used interchangeably. Use these tips to ensure you’re using these terms correctly.
5. The American Revolution
Historic is an adjective used to refer to any aspect of history, regardless of its degree of significance. You could use it when discussing artifacts from history, fictional depictions of historical events or records that remain from its era.
When speaking of something significant or notable from history, historical is generally more suitable as a word to use.
6. The Declaration of Independence
Historical is used to refer to something that occurred in the past; it can also describe something significant from that era or that has an impactful past. This adjective often appears before nouns that relate to or describe this history, such as famous people or artifacts from it, like museums that exhibit them.
How you pronounce historic and historical is key when deciding between using an or a preposition in front of these words; if the silent “h” makes an historic or historical correct.
7. The Civil Rights Movement
Historic and historical are often used interchangeably due to their similar h-sounds; many people will use an before both words because h can sound consonant-like; however, Garner’s Modern English Usage suggests using an instead.
Historic events refer to significant and real happenings of the past, including Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I have a dream” speech and civil rights movements such as Selma.
8. The Great Depression
The Great Depression was one of the greatest economic contractions ever witnessed in modern history, beginning with the stock market crash of 1929 and being further compounded by banking panics and mismanagement.
Depression was especially severe for African-Americans, leading them to form the Civil Rights Movement and push for equality. The New Deal established various federal programs designed to lift people out of poverty.
9. The Stonewall Riots
When police raided Stonewall, a Greenwich Village gay bar, patrons and protesters took violent retaliatory action in what has since become one of the landmark moments in gay rights movements. These historic riots eventually marked an important turning point in this struggle for equality for LGBTQ individuals.
Historical is an adjective used to refer to well-known or significant events from the past and/or anything associated with history. Remember that historic ends in “ic” while historical ends with “ical”.
10. The Great War
Personal preference usually dictates which term to use; historically speaking, both terms can often be interchanged in certain contexts. That being said, historic often sounds more formal and is likely used more in academic settings.
Historical is an adjective that denotes anything related to history, commonly found before nouns from that era such as artifacts or fiction from that era; or before those discussing the field such as historians or history teachers.
