What is the importance of dates in history?

Dates are the backbone of historical study. They provide a chronological framework that allows us to understand the sequence of events, which is crucial for establishing cause and effect. For instance, knowing that World War I started in 1914 helps us contextualize the political tensions of the early 20th century that led to World War II. Without dates, history would just be a jumble of unrelated stories. They help us create timelines, compare developments in different regions, and measure the passage of time between significant events, giving us a clearer picture of human progress. For a deeper dive, the British Library has a great article on historical chronology.