1. Why Study History?

2. Is History Useful?
It doesn’t help build schools, fight fires, perform operations, help sell merchandise, or launch a space shuttle.
So…why do we study history?

3. History Helps Us Understand OUR WORLD
You cannot understand people if you do not understand their past
You cannot understand our community if you do not know how it came to be
You cannot understand our nation without history
You cannot understand our world if you do not understand history

4. History Give Us Identity
Studying history gives people a sense of nationalism
It gives groups such as ethnic, organization, even schools a sense of identity
It gives family and personal identity as well

5. History Helps Us Understand People
People make up society and it is very hard to test how that kind of group behaves when it is made up of 4 billion people
History acts as a “social laboratory”, one of the few way we can help predict the future behavior of such a large group

6. Those That Study and Understand History Become Good Citizens
It provides national identity
Provides examples of success, morality and of course the examples of the opposite
Helps us understand current world affairs and conflicts by understanding the root of the problems
Provides support for making decisions and encourages, “responsible public behavior, whether as a national or community leader, an informed voter, a petitioner, or a simple observer. ”

7. Now that I have you all convinced history is important…
How do you take the first steps to become a historian?

8. Jobs of the Historian Historians have at least four different jobs
Each of these jobs is important to understand the past so we are able to understand ourselves, our society and our world

9. The Detective Investigates the past Determines what happened
Separates truth from falsehoods or misinterpretations
Separates out bias in historical writing to find the truth (or as close as possible)

10. The Storyteller Tells the story of history to others
Imparts lessons, morals, and other learning of history
Entertains and fascinates with the epic story of our history

11. The Judge
Judges history and makes moral decisions. Example: was someone evil or just misunderstood?
Ever heard the saying, “We will see how history judges me?”
Sorts what should be emulated and what should be discarded

12. The Philosopher
Is a reflector and may also be speculating on what was right or wrong
Ponders important questions and attempts to pull out meaning from history
Not only speculates on the lessons of the past but also may attempt to predict the future

13. The End Is Just the Beginning
Are you willing to put on the four hats of historian and attempt to understand the past…
In order to ensure a brighter future for yourself, for your family, for your community, for your nation, and for your world?