19th century and earlier - historical.
Present day (or a few years before) - not historical.
What about in between?
Is the first half of the 20th century far enough ago?
There are books set in 1950s and 60s which I think are grouped as Nostalgia rather than Historical (but I am often unclear about genre, so feel free to disagree). What about 1930s and 40s?
(I'd like to know before the deadline for the writing competition!)
Historical is a year that you had or have never lived in example. Mine would be 1998 downwards and to me 1999 cant be historical because i was born in that year.
I hope that was helpful
The deadline is 11th May, I can help with that!
Not sure about your first question though. In my mind historical is outside of your own memory. So historical for me would be 1970s and earlier. For my daughter however, Britpop is 'the olden days'.......!