The main difference between historic and historical is that historic describes something important or momentous in history whereas historical describes something that belongs to history.
Historic and historical are two similar adjectives that originate from the noun history. Although many people tend to use these two adjectives interchangeably, assuming them to have the same meaning, there is a distinct difference between historic and historical. A historic event is a significant event that happened in the past, whereas a historical event refers to any event in the past. Thus, all past events are historical, but only momentous events are historic.
Key Areas Covered
1. What Does Historic Mean
– Definition, Meaning, Examples
2. What Does Historical Mean
– Definition, Meaning, Examples
3. What is the Difference Between Historic and Historical
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
History, Historic, Historical
What Does Historic Mean
Historic is an adjective that describes something momentous or significant in history. Thus, a historic event is an event that has great importance. For example, declaration of independence, tearing down of the Berlin Wall, the Russian revolution, and moon landing are some historic events. Similarly, a historic building is a building that has great historical importance. Thus, we use this adjective to refer to events, people, and things that have a prominent place in history.
Figure 01: Storming of the Bastille was a Historic Event in the French Revolution
Let’s now look at some example sentences.
This historic treaty was signed exactly 350 years ago.
BBC produced a document on the historic battle of Hastings.
The assassination of John F Kennedy was a historic event that changed the world.
This is a historic moment for our country although many people don’t realize it.
What Does Historical Mean
Historical is an adjective that describes something that belongs to the past. We can also use this adjective to describe anything related to the study of things from the past. For example, historical documents are documents that record the past, while historical events are events that happened in the past. Thus, we use this adjective to describe things that happened in the past or things that belong to the past, regardless of their importance.
Figure 2: Historical Documents
Let’s now look at some example sentences.
She loves to read historical romance novels, but she hates studying history.
They found a historical map of the area.
Many historical buildings in the town are in need of renovation.
Several historical artefacts have been stolen from the museum.
Examples of Historic vs Historical
The following section shows some instances where people tend to use these two adjectives interchangeably.
She is a historic scholar – a scholar who was important in the past
She is a historical scholar – a scholar who studies history
Battle of Panipat was a historic event – an important battle in the history
Battle of Panipat was a historical event – an event that happened in the past
Archaeologists discovered a historic document – an important document in the history
Archaeologists discovered a historical document – a document that belongs to the past
Difference Between Historic and Historical
Definition
Historic describes something important or momentous in history, whereas historical describes something that belongs to history or something relating to history.
Significance
Historic describes something momentous in history, whereas historical describes things that happened in the past, regardless of their importance.
Example
While a historic event refers to a significant event that happened in the past, a historical event simply refers to any event in the past.
Conclusion
In brief, historic and historical are two similar adjectives that originate from the noun history. The main difference between historic and historical is that historic describes something important or momentous in history, whereas historical describes something that belongs to the past. For example, a historic event is a significant event that happened in the past whereas a historical event refers to any event in the past.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Prise de la Bastille” By Jean-Pierre Houël – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “3212015” Lynn Melchiori from Pixabay
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