An historic or a historic

[Derf]

Here is somehing I have been wondering for a while. Why is "an" always used with the word historic instead of "a"?

For example:
It was an historic moment at the Olympics today.

[Mister Micawber]

It isn't always-- in some cases, either is acceptable, as here, where the unstressed first syllable of the h- word leaves the pronunciation of /h/ very soft, almost vowel-like. Other similar words:

a/an historic moment
a/an Hawaiian guitar
a/an Havana cigar
a/an hallucinatory experience
a/an Herculean task.

Sometimes, real pronunciation differences determine different indefinite articles, as in a/an herb.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Nessie]

[Mister Micawber]

.
Yes.
.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's