It is a traditional rule of English that an can be used before words that begin with an H sound if the first syllable of that word is not stressed. Indeed, some traditionalists would say it must be used before such words. Since the first syllable of historic is unstressed, it is acceptable to use...

What indefinite article (a or an) should be used before "historical"? For example: an historical standpoint. an historical misunderstanding.

Possible Duplicate: When should I use “a” versus “an” in front of a word beginning with the letter h? Why do we say an historical but a history? This question was originally posed by @shanselman on Twitter.

Any Japanese who knows Austria and Australia are different countries wouldn't confuse them. We pronounce Austria as オーストリア, オーストリヤ, or オーストリー (elder genaration tends to call this way. Conversly younger generation calls Italy as イタリー、while elder genaration　tends to call it イタリヤ), and Australia as ...