<P> More visible uses of Common Era notation have recently surfaced at major museums in the English - speaking world . Furthermore, several style guides now prefer or mandate its usage . Even some style guides for Christian churches prefer its use: for example, the Episcopal Diocese Maryland Church News . </P> <P> In the United States, the usage of the BCE / CE notation in textbooks is growing . Some publications have moved over to using it exclusively . For example, the 2007 World Almanac was the first edition to switch over to the BCE / CE usage, ending a 138 - year usage of the traditional BC / AD dating notation . It is used by the College Board in its history tests, and by the Norton Anthology of English Literature . Others have taken a different approach . The US - based History Channel uses BCE / CE notation in articles on non-Christian religious topics such as Jerusalem and Judaism . </P> <P> In 2002, England and Wales introduced the BCE / CE notation system into the official school curriculum . </P> <P> In June 2006, in the United States, the Kentucky State School Board reversed its decision to use BCE and CE in the state's new Program of Studies, leaving education of students about these concepts a matter of discretion at the local level . </P>

When did we start using bce instead of bc