The problem of definition of the historical event

One of the most important problems of historical cognition is the problem of defining the concept of the historical event. Revelation of the essential features of the historical event and its place among the other categories of the historical science is necessary in order to solve the questions of demarcation both in the sphere of science itself and in correlation of scientific and non-scientific knowledge. The problem of definition of the historical event and detection of its peculiarities is not clear, however. The analysis of the conceptions of a number of researchers dealing with this problem lets us detect the essential features and properties of the event: it is a significant important happening characterized by novelty and unexpectedness in relation to actuality. In addition the event is defined as something unique or previously unknown. The historical event being partly characterized by the above mentioned features has however its own specific features going beyond the notion of the event. The historical process is also influenced by most disparate events: social, natural and transcendental ones. This leads to thoughts about the necessity of separating historical events from historically significant ones. Both of them influence the society and can change the course of history. Historically significant events, however, do not only cause historical events but also "annul" them. Natural and transcendental events are undoubtedly distinguished from the historical events proper as they are not connected with human actions and they are not purposeful. Immanuel Kant called in question the fact of both purposefulness and comprehension of human actions in the world arena. In his opinion it is sometimes not the intentions concerning the society at the bottom of these actions but some pragmatic interests, vanity or foolishness. Historical events are events taking place in a society; they are connected with human actions and based on ideas about the society. These events have both internal and external sides. Singleness, uniqueness and novelty of the historical event should be recognized as its essential peculiarities although uniqueness can be defined only against the background of typicality. All these peculiarities do not fully disclose the meaning of the historical event proper studied by the historical science; that is why it is necessary to add that historical events are considered to be those having known effects and the significance of which has already been determined both in the context of the past and the present. In other words an event in order to be understood and appreciated should be completed not only in its direct chronological framework but also from the point of view of long-term effects.

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