Understanding B.C. and A.D.


Events in history are recorded by dates. Events that happened before the birth of a man Christians call Jesus Christ are marked B.C. (before Christ). Events that happened after Jesus' birth are marked A.D. (Anno domini, "Year of Our Lord").

Look at the time line below. When counting years before Jesus' birth, the highest number tells the oldest event. When counting years after Jesus' birth, the lowest number tells of the oldest event.

150 000

50 000

2 000

Birth

1 492

1 842-1876

B.C.

B.C.

B.C.

of Christ

A.D.

A.D.
------^-------------^--------------^------------^------------^---------------^-----------

^ 1867 A.D.

List of Events

150 000 - "Stone Age" people

50 000 B.C. - Possible early migration of hunters to the Americas from Asia

2 000 B.C. - the building of the Great Pyramid of Cheops in Egypt

1492 A.D. - Columbus sails to America

1842 - 1876 A.D. - Indian Act (to provide for, 1842), Indian Reserves Act (1844)

(1850), Indian Act for civilizing and enfranchising (1850), Indian Land

and Properties Act (1860, 1866)

1867 A.D. - Confederation. Dominion of Canada created.
Previous Page In The Beginning Next Page