Why should we study history? As Americans we are not bound together by a common religion, a common race, or a common ethnic heritage. Instead we are bound together by a tradition of ruling ourselves. It is important that we look to events in history to understand where we Americans get our ancestry and culture. This helps us to understand why we are governed in the tradition of democracy.
Because self-knowledge builds on past experience, we need to know where we have been in order to understand where we are, and to know where we are going. A knowledge of history is essential if we are to think critically, set goals, solve problems, and make decisions that will benefit ourselves, our nation, and the world.
