I think that anything that we judge in hindsight is subject to reinterpretation to the extent that it loses all meaning.

Consider a quote by that paragon of history who I know you all love - (not):

"I beseech you, by the bowels of Christ, think it possible you may be mistaken."
- Oliver Cromwell


And another:

"History doesn't repeat itself - at best sometimes it rhymes."
- Mark Twain