BBC History Magazine

[hiphophistorian]

The news today of European political appointments has adopted a mocking tone.

But are the scoffers wrong?

Will Herman van Rompuy be a household name in 100 years time, having gone down in history as the first EU president?

[Hilary Yewdale]

An interesting question - I suppose it depends what he does in the post - or how influential the European Parliament becomes. This reminds me of the debate featured in last month's magazine about what constitutes history. We are now thinking what will be history in 100 years time!!
Will anyone be able to read this webpage in 100 years time?

[hiphophistorian]

It's an interesting discussion about what constitutes history. But great historical moments always existed in a present time. During the American Revolution, few of George Washington's comrades would have predicted that this charmless, dour man who lacked charisma would be widely idolized more than 200 years later as the first president of the USA (nor would they imagine that a giant image of his face would appear on a big rock!). But today he is without question considered to be one of the most authentic historical figures.

On another note, it seems strange that van Rompuy has been criticized for coming from a 'small' (used by narrow minded commentators as innuendo for 'rubbish') country, when our own Prime Minister comes from Scotland, a fairly catatonic backwater of our kingdom!