I have to admit that history was never my favorite subject in school. For some reason, my teachers just could not convince me that it was relevant to my life at all. Why should I worry about the past when I’m going to be living in the future? Well, now I wish I could turn back time and pay much closer attention in those classes, because I know now just how fascinating and important the history of the world is!
When it comes to why we should all be invested in history, University of the People notes on their site that it allows us to comprehend more. It’s much harder to grasp what’s going on in the world when you don’t know the context and the history of what’s happened before. Plus, it teaches us so much about society and other people. Why does your culture have the traditions that it does? They’re not arbitrary; they came about in the past for a reason. And you probably want to know why!
Understanding history also helps us understand our own identities. Anything from how you look, what language you speak and what foods your grandmother prepares can be explained by looking in the past. Your life was also shaped by how your ancestors lived. For example, were any of them in the military? Were they wealthy? These previous generations impact how you live today.
We also need historical context to fully understand the issues that are happening in the world at the moment. Ever wondered why certain countries have beef with one another? Chances are, there’s a long explanation in your history textbook. And taking the time to learn about conflicts around the world can help you be a much more informed global citizen.
History can also provide us with plenty of explanations for why things change over time. It’s not a secret why there are so many fewer smokers in the United States today than there were half a century ago. Or why Britain voted in favor of Brexit, even though many people around the world disagreed with their choice. Without historical context, nothing makes sense. But when we dive a little deeper and take the time to understand the past, we can see why the future is going in the direction that it is.
Another great thing that history can teach us is morals and values. When we look back on atrocities that happened in the past, we know that we never want to be a part of repeating them. We can learn from the mistakes of previous generations to improve our own actions. Plus, history can help inform our political decisions. You might align with a certain party based on how they’ve made decisions in the past. Or you might try to avoid certain policies or voting for particular politicians due to how they’ve historically acted.
Understanding the history of your own city, region and nation can also make you a much better citizen. When you travel, you’ll be able to understand what makes your home different from where you’re visiting. And you’ll have the ability to teach others about your own culture if they’re curious. Having thousands of different cultural identities around the world is what makes our planet so special, and it’s important for the history of each place to never be lost.
So how can you expand your understanding of the past while you’re living in the present? Well, The London Dungeon’s first tip is to experience it. Go to museums, visit historical sites and have immersive experiences that will help you remember exactly what you learned. If you turn facts into memories, you’ll be much more likely to hold onto that knowledge. But if you can’t physically travel, don’t underestimate watching a great YouTube video or documentary. The information will be served up on a platter for you, and you shouldn’t have any problem retaining it!
