4

Does the discipline of history have any convention in determining the difference between "current events" and "history"? How do professional historians determine when an event has passed from politics and into history? Is this a matter that historians approach on a case by case basis, or do different writers have different opinions?

For example, a popular rule of thumb sets the cut off at 10 years - everything before is history and everything since current events. What is the historian's version of this rule, if in fact any exists?

A related question on the distinction between History and Politics - moved out of comments in order to preserve the link.

Improve this question
6
  • Probably the only convention would be it's history when an historian writes a book about it. In other words, it's a matter of personal opinions. +1 because I think it's a relevant question, but I fear it'll be closed for that reason. Also I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of editing a bit.
    – Semaphore
    Feb 2, 2015 at 15:34
  • 3
    I didn't mean to hijack anything - I tried to keep the question the same, just a bit more fleshed out for H.SE's standards. If you dislike the changes though please feel free to use the rollback option.
    – Semaphore
    Feb 2, 2015 at 15:40
  • 3
    Related
    – MCW ♦
    Feb 2, 2015 at 17:58
  • 1
    Got a link for that "popular rule of thumb"? Its news to me.
    – T.E.D. ♦
    Feb 3, 2015 at 19:19
  • 1
    @Rohit you (seem to) have very definite ideas about what you are looking for in an answer (based on your comments here) - Answering your own question is allowed. :c)
    – CGCampbell
    Feb 5, 2015 at 15:51

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
3

Things become history when historicised by historians. For what is historicisation and who is a historian see another answer at What are some indicators that distinguish pseudo-history from actual history?

The largest element of this is access to the documentary records of the past. Some documentary records are held orally, and these become accessible when people start to memorialise their own past. The largest source for the documentary record of the past is archives. The largest archives tend to be state archives. State archives make documents accessible after 20 years, or 30 years, or 50 years or never. (For example: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/20-year-rule.htm)

Some archives become open to historians much sooner. Failed states tend to be unable to protect their archival heritage, and the states that come later tend to make these open. Occasionally individuals release large slabs of state documents. Private organisations may release archival material earlier, or later. Or a failed organisation may suddenly release recent information.

Due to the role of the state in supervening people's lives, and as a direct participant in social action, state archives tend to dictate the ebb and flow of historicity. So "enough time to research a journal article or book" after an archival opening is a good guess. Say 20-25 years.

Things that are historical can still be current events. History is often used in contemporary politics for effect.

Improve this answer
4
  • I have concerns about this answer on two points. 1-It still doesn't tell whether there are any conventions or not. 2- "Historicised by historians" --is there a definite recognition of a historian, or his act of historicising. If these points are addressed, the answer would be more definite, and, well, better
    – Rohit
    Feb 3, 2015 at 7:05
  • @Rohit I don't think you're going to get a more definite answer than this one (mostly because a truly definite answer just doesn't exist). Here's another point to consider. When we distinguish "ancient" history from the even older prehistoric, the place where we draw the line between the two is where the written record begins. If the beginning of the written record defines where history begins, then it seems only natural to me that the end of the record would define where history stops. But again, this is only for if you really want to tie yourself in knots with a rigid definition.
    – David H
    Feb 6, 2015 at 13:13
  • @DavidH btw, i mentioned 2 articulate points addition, which consist of binary, yes or no answers, isn't it???
    – Rohit
    Feb 8, 2015 at 10:43
  • There are more historical sources than document archives.
    – Aaron Brick
    May 26, 2018 at 3:57
0

The flippant answer is, "History is stuff that happened before I was born. "

The implications of this are:

  • Things that are "history" to me, like World War 2, are not to folks older than I who were around then living through it.
  • As time goes by, a "recent event" becomes less and less that, and more and more "history".
  • Once the last person who has first-hand knowledge of an event dies, it becomes 100% history.
Improve this answer
2
  • 1
    @ T.E.D Flippant it is
    – Rohit
    Feb 5, 2015 at 9:47
  • 1
    And cool too just that, it is not an answer
    – Rohit
    Feb 5, 2015 at 9:48

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.