what does bc and ad mean?

TLDR: BC stands for "Before Christ," marking years before the birth of Jesus, while AD means "Anno Domini," or "in the year of our Lord," indicating years after his birth. The secular alternatives BCE (Before Common Era) and CE (Common Era) are increasingly used to promote inclusivity.

The terms BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini) are essential in the historical dating system, with BC denoting years before the estimated birth of Jesus Christ and AD representing years following it. This system, introduced by Dionysius Exiguus in the 6th century, has been widely adopted, with the Gregorian calendar further popularizing it since its introduction by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. The absence of a year zero in this system means that the year immediately before AD 1 is 1 BC.

In recent years, there has been a shift towards using BCE (Before Common Era) and CE (Common Era) as secular alternatives to BC and AD. This change aims to provide a more inclusive framework for historical chronology, avoiding the religious implications of the traditional terms. The adoption of BCE and CE reflects a growing recognition of the need for cultural sensitivity in historical discourse, allowing for a more accessible understanding of history for diverse audiences.