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Common Era for Dummies

adverb


What does Common Era really mean?

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Common Era, also known as CE, is a term used to refer to a system of counting years that is widely used in the world today. It is a way to divide and track time based on significant events throughout history. Now, let me break it down for you in a way that is easy to understand!

Imagine you are playing a really fun game with your friends, and you need a way to keep track of how much time has passed since you started playing. You could start counting from 1 when the game began and go on like 1, 2, 3, 4... This is similar to how people used to count years before the Common Era.

But then, some people had different beliefs and different ways of counting time. They wanted to have a system that didn't revolve around a specific religious event or figure. So, they came up with a different way to count years that would be more inclusive and not tied to any particular religion. This is where the Common Era comes in!

The Common Era starts from a year that is believed to be close to the birth of Jesus Christ, a well-known figure in history. People decided to set this year as a reference point, kind of like a starting line, and count forward from there. So, instead of saying "2 A.D." (which stands for Anno Domini, meaning "in the year of our Lord") or "2 B.C." (before Christ), we say "2 CE" or "2 Common Era." This is a way to keep track of time that doesn't favor any specific religion or culture.

Now, it's important to note that the Common Era is based on a historical event that is significant to Christians, but its purpose is to be inclusive and respectful to everyone. It's similar to how we use the word "holiday" instead of "Christmas" when referring to a time off from school. We want to make sure that everyone feels included and respected no matter what they believe.

So, when we talk about a specific year using the Common Era system, like 2023 CE, it means that it has been that many years since the reference point we mentioned earlier. It's a way to communicate time without any religious bias and to make sure everyone feels comfortable using the same calendar system.

In a nutshell, Common Era is a way of counting years that doesn't favor any particular religion or belief system. It provides a common reference point and is used worldwide to track time in an inclusive and respectful manner. So, next time you hear someone refer to a year as "CE," you'll know that they are using this system instead of the older ones tied to specific religious events.

Revised and Fact checked by Jack Taylor on 2023-10-28 06:13:19

Common Era In a sentece

Learn how to use Common Era inside a sentece

  • In the Common Era, people celebrate New Year's Day on January 1st.
  • The Great Wall of China was built during the Common Era.
  • The famous playwright William Shakespeare lived during the Common Era.
  • The invention of the printing press occurred in the Common Era.
  • The Renaissance, a period of great cultural and artistic achievements, took place during the Common Era.

Common Era Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

Common Era Instances

Words that the original word is an example of.