What is the difference between BC and CE?

BC (Before Christ) and CE (Common Era) are both systems used to label years in the Gregorian calendar. BC refers to the years before the estimated birth of Jesus Christ, while CE counts the years from that point onward, beginning with year 1. CE is often preferred in secular contexts to avoid religious implications, as it aligns with the same timeline as AD (Anno Domini, meaning "in the year of our Lord"). Essentially, the two systems represent the same time periods but with different cultural connotations.