The difference between 'watershed' and 'landmark' [closed]

Watershed, used metaphorically, always implies a division, separation between two items, just like in its literal sense it stands for the separation between the area from which waters flow to one ocean, sea or river and the area from which they flow to another ocean, sea or river. Landmark, on the other hand, stands for anything noteworthy, memorable, that is suitable to use as a reference point. Such reference points may mark a division between two items, but they don't always do; that is not a part of the meaning of landmark. Eiffel Tower, for example, is a landmark, in the literal sense, but it does not divide Paris into two parts in any significant way. Consequently, if one uses landmark metaphorically for an event in somebody's life, it only means that the event is noteworthy, memorable, suitable to use as a reference point. Although turning points usually serve as landmarks in that metaphorical sense, calling something a landmark does not mean that it is a turning point.

"Watershed" implies an event which changes the way things are understood. "Landmark" can be any event or object which marks a division, in time, space, or possibly thought processes.

There is some overlap in the concepts, but "watershed" tends to refer to an "epiphany" (to borrow James Joyce's definition) or a "revelation" -- a relatively sudden recognition that changes ones views of themselves and/or their social conditions.

And "landmark" can refer to an unrelated event -- eg, the turning of the century may be regarded as a "landmark", even though the fact that the century "turned" may not have been a causative factor.