"C.E." stands for "Common Era," a designation used to denote years in the Gregorian calendar, which is the calendar system most widely used today. It is often used in place of "A.D." (Anno Domini) to provide a more secular reference to the same time period. The Common Era begins with the year 1 C.E., which is traditionally considered the year of the birth of Jesus Christ. The Common Era is part of a larger system that includes "B.C.E." (Before Common Era), which refers to the years before 1 C.E. This system is used in academic and historical contexts to avoid religious connotations while discussing dates. The use of C.E. and B.C.E. allows for a more inclusive approach to dating events in history.