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.

To take a few obvious examples: communities speak languages that are inherited from the past. They live in societies with complex cultures, traditions and religions that have not been created on the spur of the moment. People use technologies that they have not themselves invented.

History is a powerful tool for developing critical thinking and analytical skills. It challenges students to consider multiple perspectives, evaluate evidence, and draw reasoned conclusions. For example, historians often scrutinize primary sources, weighing their reliability and bias, to reconstruct historical narratives.

History offers countless examples of valuable life lessons that we can use today. These include moral lessons, such as the importance of justice and peace. History also teaches us important lessons about resilience in the face of adversity and how to persevere even when faced with challenges.