The specific date when a document, security, or publication is formally created or released is a crucial piece of information. It denotes the commencement of its validity or availability. For example, the date on a driver’s license indicates when it was issued to the holder, marking the start of its authorized use. Similarly, on a bond, this date specifies when the issuing entity initiated its financial obligation.
Knowing this temporal marker provides essential context. It is pivotal for establishing timelines, determining eligibility, calculating expirations, and verifying authenticity. In legal and financial contexts, it serves as a critical reference point for interpreting contracts, assessing investment performance, and adjudicating disputes. Historically, meticulous record-keeping of these markers has been fundamental to governance, commerce, and societal organization, providing a traceable history of transactions and events.