Commence versus Inaugurate

[Honore]

Dear teacher would you please help me find the correct choice for the following question?
Thanks and regards.
When Thomas Edison invented the first commercially practical incandescent light in 1879, he.........the age of electricity.
a) inaugurated
b) commenced

[Coffa]

Which one do you believe it is?

[Honore]

Either of them seems to be possible with regard to daily usage but according to Oxford Dictionary, "inaugurate" looks as the formal and correct choice, right?

P.S. I have found three examples also for "commence" from Google search as follows:

...to commence the age of ecological restoration and sustainability.
http://www.ecologicalinternet.org/

And it is certainly not an appropriate way to commence the Information Age.
http://www.mountainman.com.au/old_home.html

We must announce the end of this calamitous history and commence an age which values human life.
http://www.pcf.city.hiroshima.jp/dec...ds/vol01E.html

[Coffa]

Yes. 'Inaugurate' means to bring about the start of something, whereas 'commence' simply means 'start'. Edison brought about the start of the age of electricity - he didn't start it himself.

[Honore]

Thanks so much for the explanation.
Best regards.