Why Do We Study History?

Why do we Study History?

People live in the present. They plan for and worry about the future. History, however, is the study of the past. The purpose of historical findings and inquiries is not simply to present facts but to search for an interpretation of the past issues. Historians attempt to find patterns and try to relate through the rigorous study of documents, laws and artifacts left by people decades or centuries ago. It is commonly understood that an understanding of the past is essential to an understanding of the present. Yet we study history for a variety of reasons--to understand civilizations that thought and acted differently in their duration of time, than we do in our own time. History also provides a unique understanding into human nature and human civilization. Without study of history we would not be able to find out the past about ourselves (background), our ancestors, our country or even the world. History has also shown that many people worked and sacrificed a lot, to bring us certain right and freedoms; in Nelson Mandela's case it was his freedom that was taken away. He was captivated for nearly more than a quarter-century for fighting against racial oppression in South Africa. Nevertheless he was released and Black's and other minorities' rights and freedoms were finally recognized in South Africa and other parts of the world as well. In conclusion history is something that we should all learn (and teach) at one point, to more effectively apprehend about the events that took place in the past in which they shaped our world today.

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