History

While listening to the "Today" on BBC Radio 4, a question was raised that set me thinking. When does something become history as opposed to current affairs?

It sounds simple enough until you try to put a precise date, or even circumstance, on it. It's something that happened in the past, that's easy enough.

It could be said to be when something is complete. But then is anything ever complete? Don't the crusades, for example, have an influence on the geographical, religious, political position of the Middle East today?

Is the present war in Iraq & Afghanistan history yet? It's certainly not over yet. But even when the fighting is over, will it be over & therefore history? How do you know it isn't going to be the cause of what follows, be it good or evil?

Is what happened yesterday history or current? Where is the transition point? Time is so fluid. The past merges seamlessly into the present into the future.

Is Little B's life & death now history or current? Will that answer change after the funeral? Certainly at the moment he haunts the Pub & the minds of all his friends. Conversations, no matter what subject they start about, all come back to him. His life is now complete. He will never have new adventures, at least not in this world. Does that make him part of history? He certainly had his role in history. He did his military service like all men of his generation. His name will no doubt be recorded in censuses, in the annals of the Building Society he once worked in, on the ownership documents of houses & cars he once owned, & a million other places beside. Or does the very paper trail to be sought somehow make this history?

Questions, questions. The more I seek, the further the answers retreat.