What does B.C.E. stand for?

B.C.E. stands for "Before Common Era," which is a secular term used to denote the years before the start of the Common Era (C.E.), commonly associated with the traditional dating of the birth of Jesus Christ. This designation was created to provide a more culturally neutral way of referencing historical time periods that avoids specifically religious connotations. It allows for a broader application in academic and educational contexts, making historical reference accessible to people of various backgrounds and beliefs. In this system, the years count backward from the year 1 C.E., with 1 B.C.E. being immediately before the year 1 C.E. This terminology is widely accepted in fields like history and archaeology to encourage inclusivity in discussions about chronology and historical events.