historic

historic, historical are sometimes distinguished in meaning.

Historic is used when the idea of association with history in the sense of being celebrated, well-known, or deserving to be well-known is stressed

{

we shall visit many historic spots on our trip

}

{

this is historic ground on which we are standing

}

{

the incident became historic in the Square— Bennett

}

{

the historic conference in 1948, when Lysenko announced his formal endorsement by the Communist Government— Martin Gardner

}

Historical, on the other hand, implies use of or dependence on or relation to history, especially of facts or events; thus, an historic event is one that is important or famous, while an historical event is one that is supported by the evidence of history

{

he is conducting an historical investigation of the Pelagian heresy

}

{

an historical novel

}

{

we doubt the histori-cal truth of his conclusions

}

{

a historical phenomenon as deeply rooted as English snobbery is not to be swept away in a night— Brogan

}

{

the author examines his own background and the historical accident which caused him to reverse the emigration of his ancestors from England to America— R. B. West

}

Analogous words: famed, *famous, celebrated, renowned