historical document

[/hɪˈstɒrɪkəl ˈdɒkjumənt/]
nounpl: historical documents
documento histórico
1. A written, printed, or otherwise recorded material that provides evidence or information about past events, people, or societies
The Declaration of Independence is one of the most important historical documents in American history.
A Declaração de Independência é um dos documentos históricos mais importantes da história americana.
2. An original or primary source record from a specific period in history that serves as evidence for historical research and study
Archaeologists discovered historical documents that revealed details about ancient Roman trade routes.
Arqueólogos descobriram documentos históricos que revelaram detalhes sobre as rotas comerciais da Roma antiga.
3. Any archival material, manuscript, letter, or record that has significant value for understanding historical events or contexts
The library houses thousands of historical documents from the colonial period.
A biblioteca abriga milhares de documentos históricos do período colonial.
In both Brazilian and American contexts, historical documents are central to academic research, cultural preservation, and national identity. Brazil's National Archives (Arquivo Nacional) and the United States National Archives are major repositories. These documents are often featured in museums, educational curricula, and legal proceedings related to land claims and indigenous rights.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
historical recordprimary sourcearchival documentmanuscriptperiod documentoriginal source
Antonyms / Antônimos
fictional accountmodern documentcontemporary record

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
documento histórico
Standard term used throughout Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
documento histórico
Same as general Brazilian usage
São Paulo
documento histórico
Same as general Brazilian usage, commonly used in academic contexts
Portugal
documento histórico
Identical to Brazilian Portuguese; also commonly referred to as 'fonte primária' in academic discourse

Related Words

archivemanuscriptartifactprimary sourcehistorical evidencepaleographyhistoriographypreservation

Related Idioms & Phrases

a piece of history
historical significance
document for the record
preserved for posterity
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