The Importance of Learning History
Studying history helps us understand how events in the past made things the way they are today. With lessons from the past, we not only learn about ourselves, and how we came to be, but also develop the ability to avoid mistakes and create better paths for our societies.
Events in the past have displaced families and groups, changing the make-up of regions and often causing tensions. Such events have also created government systems that have lasted generations beyond when they started, and all of it affects each person alive today.
All people and cultures are living histories. Our cultures, languages, traditions, and religions are all inherited from the past. We even inherit our genetic make-up from those that lived before us. Knowing these connections gives you a basic understanding of the condition of being human.
Learning about history can also be a great deal of fun. We have many historical, big budget Hollywood movies about our past to prove it. History is full of some of the most interesting and fascinating stories ever told, including pirates, treasure, wars and adventures.
Better yet, there is a history of every field and topic, from medicine, to music, to art. Whatever you find fascinating, there is a history to go along with it. Dive a bit deeper into any topic’s history and you will be surprised by what you might find in the process.
History teaches us about things such as why some societies thrive while others fail, why humans have gone to war and how people have changed society for the better.
History isn’t a study of others. The people you learn about may have lived decades or even centuries ago, but their actions directly affect how we live our lives today. Events that seem like dates on a page have been turning points in the story of our societies. When we study history, we learn how we got where we are and why we live the way we do. It’s the study of us of humans and our place in an ever-changing world. Without it, we wouldn’t understand all of our triumphs and failures and we would continually repeat patterns without building forward to something better.
The past creates the present. Our modern world exists because of events that happened long before our time. Only by understanding those events can we know how we got here and where to go next. For example, when you study a war, you learn more about how conflict escalates. You learn what dilemmas world leaders faced, how they responded and when those decisions lead to better or worse outcomes.
Historical study shows you the warning signs of many kinds of disaster, from genocide to climate inaction. Understanding these patterns will make you a more informed individual and help you take action effectively. The study of history is fascinating, but that’s not the only reason why we do it. Learning the facts and following the thread of a story is just the first step.
The most important question in history is, “So what?” For instance, why was the invasion of Normandy in 1944 a turning point during the Second World War? What would have happened if Allied forces hadn’t landed on the French beaches?
Studying this way helps you see the relevance and importance of history, while giving you a deeper and more lasting understanding of what happened.
At Colour Heroes, our history books range from prehistoric to modern day and contain the popular areas which are covered in the national curriculum. Our titles include Roman Britain, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, Medieval Britain, Victorians, The Great War and the Second World War.
Shop at https://www.colourheroes.com/shop to get hold of all our illustrated books in our Colour Heroes history book range.