More history

Reading of “the historic vastness of the moment, the unique and unprecedented nature of the event” (Times Online’s view of the Inauguration), Frit would like to return to an earlier post concerning the use of the word ‘historic’. Back then, just after the Multimillionaire White African King won the election, googling the words “Obama historic” yielded an amazing 239,000 hits. Now, following Inauguration Day, googling the words “Obama historic” already yields 10,900,000 hits and “Obama history” yields a shattering 74,900,000 hits! This is history being made in advance rather than history in the making. We are confusing history with hysteria and, as we know, those who are confused about history are condemned to repeat it.