June 12, 2008: Issue 243
To prevent the appearance of cultural or religious bias, avoid B.C. and A.D. in dates.
Any year in the past two millennia doesn’t need a qualifier.
acceptable: The city was first settled around 1050 A.D.
preferred: The city was first settled around 1050.
If you’re worried about confusion, add “the year.”
acceptable: By 500 A.D., the Byzantine style had taken hold.
preferred: By the year 500, the Byzantine style had taken hold.
For earlier dates, try establishing them in relation to today, rather than in relation to the birth of Christ.
acceptable: Residents of Crete began cultivating olives around 5,000 B.C.
preferred: Residents of Crete began cultivating olives about 7,000 years ago.
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