Is History Important? Essay Example
Is History Important? Essay Example

Is History Important? Essay Example

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  • Pages: 4 (1074 words)
  • Published: October 25, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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Throughout history, numerous individuals have made significant efforts to document past events. They have employed various methods such as newspapers, diaries, journals, saved letters, family Bibles, and oral traditions. The Aborigines of Australia, for instance, managed to preserve their history for an astonishing 40,000 years through oral transmission. History serves as the account of humanity, offering insights into the way people lived and establishing the foundations of certain principles relating to laws, customs, and political ideologies. Have you ever pondered the origins of the impolite gesture involving pointing your middle finger at individuals who annoy you? According to one legend, it supposedly originated from the Battle of Agincourt when the French demanded the surrender of English longbow men.

The French demand was straightforward: the archers had to surrender immediately or risk having

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their middle fingers severed upon capture. This particular finger held great importance to the men as it was the very finger they used when shooting their longbows. In response, the English defiantly raised their middle fingers and lifted their hands high in unison as a gesture for the French to witness.

The French were enraged and retaliated with a swift assault, only to be swiftly defeated by the brave English. It is important to recognize their bravery prior to making any disrespectful gestures. The age-old adage, "you can't know where you're going unless you know where you've been," holds great truth. A true historian acknowledges the repetitive nature of history. This repetition holds significance in society as it highlights the importance of societal changes and governmental tactics. Notably, concepts from the 1960s can be traced back to William Godwin's writings in the 1790s.

Both the Ancien

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Greeks and Communist regimes aimed to redistribute wealth, but this approach proved unsuccessful for both societies. Despite their unique perspectives on wealth, the Greeks held a strong belief in the valuable lessons history provides. During my time as a young student, I developed a fervent interest in history and eagerly consumed every available biography within my school's media center.

I found the famous people I was studying fascinating due to their similar childhood experiences and their intriguing life paths as they pursued their goals. Among these individuals, one biography that particularly caught my attention was about Woodrow Wilson, who happened to be born in Georgia, which is also my home state. Wilson's story taught me the significance of perseverance as he persevered despite encountering numerous business failures that ultimately resulted in bankruptcy. History provides a wealth of lessons on character education, incorporating both positive and negative examples, while encompassing a diverse range of topics.

Discovering links to science curriculum and the arts in the units I teach constantly amazes me. Teaching about United States regions involves mentioning each region's unique ecosystem, including specific food chains, climates, and physical features. A study of history reveals mankind's appreciation for the arts, and it is undeniable that civilizations with a stable food supply were able to express their creative ideas on various mediums such as rock walls, papyrus, or cedar bark. These connections provide relevance for students.

It helps students to incorporate small portions of historical squares into a knowledge quilt. The connections between history, science, and the arts create a well-structured framework that links national and regional past events. This allows for comparisons with contemporary events that provide context for

understanding. The American Revolution was essentially our first national event. The authorities in my home state of Georgia want students to understand the importance of historical events in relation to our state. Before discussing Georgia's involvement in the Revolution, I have introduced the events leading up to the war, including the Battle of Bunker Hill. When they realize we will be discussing Georgia's participation, they become excited and quickly become upset.

They are greatly disappointed to find out that Georgia surrendered to the British early in the war. It is revealed that although there were some war heroes, most of the colonials in Georgia were loyal to the British. Unlike Massachusetts or Virginia, Georgia did not have a strong revolutionary spirit. Therefore, we set out on a mission to comprehend why Georgia played a limited role in the fight for independence. When history is presented accurately, it allows for critical analysis. Even young students can examine a range of primary and secondary sources and independently discern the occurrences and reasons behind an event.

The objective we have for all students in all academic disciplines is to achieve independence. Using history as part of the curriculum is an excellent way for students to practice their analytical, generalization, and inference skills. According to the Bradley Commission Report on History in the Schools (1988), history is crucial in helping us understand ourselves and our society. Without this understanding, American education cannot fulfill its two main goals: preparing individuals for personal integrity and fulfillment in their private lives, and preparing them to be democratic citizens in public life. As someone who enjoys diving into large history books, I find the question

in the title of this paragraph easy to answer. I am fascinated by the captivating narratives, twists, coincidences, and recurring themes that history presents. I am always eager to read about any historical topic.

The text mentions various topics, including the history of butter, word histories, Mandarin Chinese, buttermilk, famous cats in history, the history of knitting, obscure African tribal histories, and American history. It also references a character in the novel "Lucky Jim" by Kingsley Amis who answers the phone in the history department by saying "History speaking!" The text emphasizes that we are all part of history every day, whether through our family history, our contributions to businesses and corporations, or our participation in events like voting or attending demonstrations. The text also shares an anecdote about a student who believes that history is not important because it is about dead people, not about themselves. This anecdote was shared by a history professor on a website linked to the University of Utah.

The professor confidently responded to a roaring applause from fellow students, asserting, "I perceive deceased individuals. I am aware of deceased individuals and... so will you!" The significance of studying history cannot be underestimated. It is crucial to instigate a passion for history in your students. Each day, remind them that they themselves contribute to the narrative of history by sending them off with enthusiasm, declaring, "YOU’RE HISTORY!"

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