History is the study of the past
To be ignorant of what occurred before you were born is to remain always a child. For what is the worth of human life, unless it is woven into the life of our ancestors by the records of history?
Marcus Tullius cicero
why study it?
History is not merely memorizing facts but to search for an interpretation of the past. As historians we study history to find patterns and meaning through studying documents and artifacts left by people from the past in order to understand our current events. We also study history because it helps us understand how people and societies' perspective were shaped over time. Only through studying history can we grasp how things change and what factors created change. Studying stories of real individuals and situations they went through in the past allows a historian to test his or her own moral sense. History also helps provide identity that drives us to understand national values and a commitment to national loyalty. The study of this subject is also essential to promote good citizenship because history encourages habits of mind that are vital for responsible public behavior. Most importantly students studying history learn valuable skills to use in the real-world workplace. For example, you learn to assess evidence, conflicting interpretations, and examples of change. These are some examples of skills that help create good businesspeople, professionals, and political leaders. A number of historians become lawyers, work in public administration, become politicians, journalists, writers, professors, and many other occupations.