Why Is It Important to Study History?
Even if you live to be 100, you’ll never run out of new things to learn. From computer science and cryptocurrency to French literature and Spanish grammar, the world is full of knowledge and it’s all at your fingertips. So, why choose history?
Many people study history in high school and come away thinking it’s boring, irrelevant, or both. But as we get older, even just by a few years, we start to see the importance of understanding the past.
Why do we study history?
We study history because history doesn’t stay behind us. 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.
How does history impact our lives today?
Events in the past have displaced families and groups, changing the makeup 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.
Take the Great Depression, for example—one of the most difficult but impactful periods in American history. The economic crisis put almost 15 million people out of work and sent countless families into homelessness, stealing their sense of security. Many of those people would feel insecure for the rest of their lives.
The government had to learn how to help . This effort gave rise to Social Security, federal emergency relief programs, and funding for unemployment efforts. These changes continue to make life more secure for millions of Americans.
Society today comes from hundreds and thousands of actions like these. The more you learn about how these things happened, the better you understand real life.
What lessons can we learn from history?
History teaches us about things such as:
- Why some societies thrive while others fail.
- Why humans have gone to war.
- 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.
“Historical knowledge is no more and no less than carefully and critically constructed collective memory.” -William H. MacNeill, former president of the American Historical Association
Historical research builds and codifies these stories. 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.
As Spanish philosopher George Santayana once said, “Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it. ”
How do past events help us understand the present?
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.
1. History helps us understand change
History is full of transitions that have altered the world’s story. When you build your knowledge of history, you understand more about what created our present-day society.
Studying the American civil rights movement shows you how people organize successfully against oppressive systems. Learning about the fall of Rome teaches you that even the most powerful society can fall apart—and what happens to cause that crumbling.
By learning about different eras and their respective events, you start to see what changes might happen in the future and what would drive that change.
2. We learn from past mistakes
History gives us a better understanding of the world and how it operates. When you study a war, you learn more about how conflict escalates. You learn what dilemmas world leaders face and how they respond—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 citizen and help you take action effectively.
3. We gain context for the human experience
Before 2020, most Americans hadn’t lived through a global pandemic. The 1918-1919 flu pandemic had faded from the popular picture of history, overshadowed by World War I on its back end and the Roaring 20s that followed.
Yet within months of COVID-19 entering the public awareness, historians and informed private citizens were writing about the flu pandemic again. Stories of a deadly second wave were re-told to warn people against the dangers of travel, and pictures of ancestors in masks re-emerged.
Through study of the past, we understand our own lives better. We see patterns as they re-emerge and take solace in the fact that others have gone through similar struggles
How do we study history?
There are many ways of studying and teaching history. Many people remember high school classes full of memorization—names, dates, and places of major historical events.
Decades ago, that kind of rote learning was important, but things have changed. Today, 60% of the world’s population and 90% of the U.S. population use the internet and can find those facts on demand. Today, learning history is about making connections and understanding not just what happened, but why.
Critical thinking
If you’ve ever served on a jury or read about a court case, you know that reconstructing the facts of the past isn’t a simple process. You have to consider the facts at hand, look at how they’re connected, and draw reasonable conclusions.
Take the fall of Rome , for example. In the Roman Empire’s last years, the central government was unstable yet the empire continued to spend money on expansion. Outside groups like the Huns and Saxons capitalized on that instability and invaded. The empire had split into East and West, further breaking down a sense of unity, and Christianity was replacing the Roman polytheistic religion.
When you become a student of history, you learn how to process facts like these and consider how one event affected the other. An expanding empire is harder to control, and invasions further tax resources. But what caused that instability in the first place? And why did expansion remain so important?
Once you learn how to think this way and ask these kinds of questions, you start engaging more actively with the world around you.
Finding the “So what?”
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 were the Chinese so successful in maintaining their empire in Asia? Why did that change after the Industrial Revolution?
- Why was the invasion of Normandy in 1944 a turning point? What would happen if Allied forces hadn’t landed on 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.
Where can I study history online?
The quality of your history education matters. You can read about major historical events on hundreds of websites and through YouTube videos, but it’s hard to know if you’re getting the full story. Many secondary sources are hit-or-miss when it comes to quality history teaching.
It’s best to learn history from a reputable educational institution. edX has history courses from some of the world’s top universities including Harvard , Columbia , and Tel Aviv . Explore one-topic in depth or take an overview approach—it’s completely up to you. The whole world is at your fingertips.
Related Posts
Why is it important to study supply chain, why is it important to study logistics, why is it important to study climate change.
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Home > Blog > Tips for Online Students > Why Is History Important And How Can It Benefit Your Future?
Tips for Online Students , Tips for Students
Why Is History Important And How Can It Benefit Your Future?
Updated: July 8, 2024
Published: July 1, 2020
History is a topic that many find boring to study or a waste of time. But there is more to studying history than meets the eye. So, why is history important? Let us explain.
Understanding history helps us develop critical decision-making skills, cultural awareness, and the ability to anticipate future trends based on historical patterns. By examining historical events, we can all learn valuable lessons, avoid past mistakes, and make informed decisions that can positively impact both our personal and professional development.
What Is History?
History is the knowledge of and study of the past. It is the story of the past and a form of collective memory. History is the story of who we are, where we come from, and can potentially reveal where we are headed.
Why Study History: The Importance
History is important to study because it is essential for all of us in understanding ourselves and the world around us. There is a history of every field and topic, from medicine, to music, to art. To know and understand history is absolutely necessary, even though the results of historical study are not as visible, and less immediate.
History Allows You to Comprehend More
Understanding and studying history enhances our grasp of the world, shedding light on cultural diversity, social dynamics, and geopolitical complexities. It helps us see how past events influence the present and guides us in making informed decisions. It also helps us grasp the following:
1. Our World
History gives us a very clear picture of how the various aspects of society — such as technology, governmental systems, and even society as a whole — worked in the past so we understand how it came to work the way it is now.
2. Society And Other People
Studying history allows us to observe and understand how people and societies behaved. For example, we are able to evaluate war, even when a nation is at peace, by looking back at previous events. History provides us with the data that is used to create laws, or theories about various aspects of society.
3. Identity
History can help provide us with a sense of identity. This is actually one of the main reasons that history is still taught in schools around the world. Historians have been able to learn about how countries, families, and groups were formed, and how they evolved and developed over time. When an individual takes it upon themselves to dive deep into their own family’s history, they can understand how their family interacted with larger historical change. Did family serve in major wars? Were they present for significant events?
4. Present-Day Issues
History helps us to understand present-day issues by asking deeper questions as to why things are the way they are. Why did wars in Europe in the 20th century matter to countries around the world? How did Hitler gain and maintain power for as long as he had? How has this had an effect on shaping our world and our global political system today?
5. The Process Of Change Over Time
If we want to truly understand why something happened — in any area or field, such as one political party winning the last election vs the other, or a major change in the number of smokers — you need to look for factors that took place earlier. Only through the study of history can people really see and grasp the reasons behind these changes, and only through history can we understand what elements of an institution or a society continue regardless of continual change.
Photo by Yusuf Dündar on Unsplash
You learn a clear lesson.
Delving into history provides clear lessons that inform present-day actions and decisions. We can identify enduring principles and cautionary tales relevant to contemporary issues by studying past events.
1. Political Intelligence
History can help us become better informed citizens. It shows us who we are as a collective group, and being informed of this is a key element in maintaining a democratic society. This knowledge helps people take an active role in the political forum through educated debates and by refining people’s core beliefs. Through knowledge of history, citizens can even change their old belief systems.
2. History Teaches Morals And Values
By looking at specific stories of individuals and situations, you can test your own morals and values. You can compare it to some real and difficult situations individuals have had to face in trying times. Looking to people who have faced and overcome adversity can be inspiring. You can study the great people of history who successfully worked through moral dilemmas, and also ordinary people who teach us lessons in courage, persistence and protest.
3. Builds Better Citizenship
The study of history is a non-negotiable aspect of better citizenship. This is one of the main reasons why it is taught as a part of school curricular. People that push for citizenship history (relationship between a citizen and the state) just want to promote a strong national identity and even national loyalty through the teaching of lessons of individual and collective success.
4. Learn From The Past And Notice Clear Warning Signs
We learn from past atrocities against groups of people; genocides, wars, and attacks. Through this collective suffering, we have learned to pay attention to the warning signs leading up to such atrocities. Society has been able to take these warning signs and fight against them when they see them in the present day. Knowing what events led up to these various wars helps us better influence our future.
5. Gaining A Career Through History
The skills that are acquired through learning about history, such as critical thinking, research, assessing information, etc, are all useful skills that are sought by employers. Many employers see these skills as being an asset in their employees and will hire those with history degrees in various roles and industries.
6. Personal Growth And Appreciation
Understanding past events and how they impact the world today can bring about empathy and understanding for groups of people whose history may be different from the mainstream. You will also understand the suffering, joy, and chaos that were necessary for the present day to happen and appreciate all that you are able to benefit from past efforts today.
Photo by Giammarco Boscaro on Unsplash
Develop and refine your skills through studying history.
Engaging with history hones your critical thinking, research, and analytical skills, which are essential for interpreting complex information. Writing about historical events helps you communicate effectively and build strong arguments.
1. Reading And Writing
You can refine your reading skills by reading texts from a wide array of time periods. Language has changed and evolved over time and so has the way people write and express themselves. You can also refine your writing skills through learning to not just repeat what someone else said, but to analyze information from multiple sources and come up with your own conclusions. It’s two birds with one stone — better writing and critical thinking!
2. Craft Your Own Opinions
There are so many sources of information out in the world. Finding a decisive truth for many topics just doesn’t exist. What was a victory for one group was a great loss for another — you get to create your own opinions of these events.
3. Decision-Making
History gives us the opportunity to learn from others’ past mistakes. It helps us understand the many reasons why people may behave the way they do. As a result, it helps us become more impartial as decision-makers.
4. How To Do Research
In the study of history you will need to conduct research . This gives you the opportunity to look at two kinds of sources — primary (written at the time) and secondary sources (written about a time period, after the fact). This practice can teach you how to decipher between reliable and unreliable sources.
5. Quantitative Analysis
There are numbers and data to be learned from history. In terms of patterns: patterns in population, desertions during times of war, and even in environmental factors. These patterns that are found help clarify why things happened as they did.
6. Qualitative Analysis
It’s incredibly important to learn to question the quality of the information and “history” you are learning. Keep these two questions in mind as you read through information: How do I know what I’m reading are facts and accurate information? Could they be the writer’s opinions?
Photo by Matteo Maretto on Unsplash
We are all living histories.
All people and cultures are living histories. The languages we speak are inherited from the past. Our cultures, traditions, and religions are all inherited from the past. We even inherit our genetic makeup from those that lived before us. Knowing these connections give you a basic understanding of the condition of being human.
History Is Fun
Learning about history can be a great deal of fun. We have the throngs of movies about our past to prove it. History is full of some of the most interesting and fascinating stories ever told, including pirates, treasure, mysteries, and adventures. On a regular basis new stories from the past keep emerging to the mainstream. Better yet, there is a history of every topic and field. 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.
What are the Best History Degree Programs in 2024?
Looking for the best history degree programs in 2024? Consider universities known for their strong academic reputation, faculty expertise, resources, and opportunities for experiential learning, like the ones below:
- Harvard University : Renowned for its comprehensive history programs and expert faculty, Harvard provides extensive resources and research opportunities.
- Yale University : Offers robust history programs with a focus on diverse historical perspectives and hands-on learning experiences.
- University of Pennsylvania : Known for its interdisciplinary approach and strong faculty, UPenn provides excellent research facilities and learning opportunities.
- Princeton University : Offers a deep dive into historical analysis with a strong emphasis on research and academic excellence.
- University of Chicago : Known for its rigorous curriculum and focus on critical thinking and research skills.
The subject of history can help you develop your skills and transform you to be a better version of yourself as a citizen, a student, and person overall.
If you are looking to develop more of yourself and skills for your future career, check out the degree programs that are offered by University of the People — a tuition-free, 100% online, U.S. accredited university.
Why should I care about studying history?
Studying history helps you understand how past events shape our present and future. It provides context for current events and helps you make sense of the world.
Can history help me make better decisions in life?
Yes, by learning from past successes and mistakes, you can make more informed decisions and avoid repeating errors.
How does history influence present-day societies and cultures?
History shapes societal norms, cultural practices, and national identities. It influences political decisions and social structures.
What are the practical benefits of learning about history?
Learning history enhances critical thinking, research, and analytical skills. It also improves your understanding of cultural diversity and global issues.
What lessons can we learn from historical mistakes and successes?
History teaches us the consequences of actions, helping us to understand the importance of ethical behavior and the impact of decisions on society.
Are there any specific careers or fields where history knowledge is valuable?
Yes, a strong understanding of history benefits careers in education, law, public policy, journalism, and museum curation.
What role does history play in preserving cultural heritage?
History preserves cultural heritage by documenting and interpreting past events, traditions, and values, ensuring they are remembered and respected.
What are some misconceptions about the relevance of history today?
Some believe history is irrelevant to modern life, but it actually provides critical insights into current issues and future challenges.
At UoPeople, our blog writers are thinkers, researchers, and experts dedicated to curating articles relevant to our mission: making higher education accessible to everyone. Read More
In this article
Why Study History
The AHA offers resources for educators and students on the importance of studying history, and reflections on why learning about the past helps us understand the present.
Reflections from Historians
Any subject of study needs justification. Read this classic essay from Peter N. Stearns about why we continue to look to the past to understand the world around us.
January 13, 2021
Why Study You-Know-What?
January 9, 2017
Why Study History?
January 1, 1996
Why Become a Historian? Natalie Zemon Davis
History "offers the only extensive evidential base for the contemplation and analysis of how societies function, and people need to have some sense of how societies function simply to run their own lives."
Peter N. Stearns
George Mason Univ.
"Why study history? To know what it is to live; to know how others have thought and lived; to know why society and the world are the way they are; to help us forge our own lives—and by so doing, to make history itself."
Gordon H. Chang
Stanford Univ.
"History is helpful in understanding our world. It is also helpful in explaining to nonhistorians why our world is the way it is. Good historians tell a good story. They paint with words a world that no longer exists, but which was similar enough to our world to allow a reader of any age to relate to it."
Robert Gutierrez
Miami Sunset Senior High School
The Value of a History Degree
Careers for History Majors
Learning history lays the groundwork for future success. We’ve gathered data, advice, and personal stories to show what a degree in history can do for you.
In Their Own Words
What is the value of a history degree? Read testimonials from history majors.
Share Your Story
Have you studied history? If so, let us know how the skills and knowledge you developed shape other aspects of your life.
Everything Has a History
The American Historical Association advocates for the crucial role of historical thinking in public life. Our work highlights the insights that come when we recognize that everything has a history.
Supporting Students
Core Learning Outcomes in History
The AHA’s Tuning Project asked historians to clarify and demystify the core goals and the key skills pursued in our discipline. Working collaboratively across more than 150 two- and four-year colleges and universities, history faculty convened to answer a basic question: when students complete a program in history, what should they know, understand, and be able to do?
What Does It Mean to Think Historically?
This 2007 Perspectives on History article by Thomas Andrews and Flannery Burke introduced the “five C's of historical thinking”: the concepts of change over time, causality, context, complexity, and contingency.
K–12 Education
Undergraduate education, graduate education, academic department resources, current events in historical context, history, the past, and public culture: results from a national survey.
This project aspired to take America’s historical pulse by assessing public perceptions of, and engagement with, the discipline of history and the past. The AHA partnered with Fairleigh Dickinson University to develop and implement a national survey that explored the public’s definition of the term “history,” where audiences access history.
Congressional Briefings
The AHA’s Congressional Briefings series provides congressional staff members, journalists, and other members of the policy community with the historical context essential to understanding contemporary issues. The sessions are strictly nonpartisan and avoid advancing particular policy prescriptions or legislative agendas.
History Behind the Headlines
History Behind the Headlines is a webinar series featuring prominent historians discussing the history behind current events. Webinars in this series are generously sponsored by AHA member Jared Brubaker.
Join the AHA
The AHA brings together historians from all specializations and all work contexts, embracing the breadth and variety of activity in history today.