Why Does US History Matter?

[DawnCt1]

Why is it important to study U.S. History in school and in college?
It seems that more and more Americans are less acquainted with their history. Is that a bad thing? Why should we study it?

 

[monkeyboy]

those who dont remember history are doomed to repeat it

 

[jrydberg]

History is how we became what we are today. If we don't know history, we don't know ourselves.

 

[Maleficent13]

MB 1, DawnCT, 0!

 

[monkeyboy]

Originally posted by jrydberg
History is how we became what we are today. If we don't know history, we don't know ourselves.

and unlike most other countries our history is a lot ...shorter than say China

 

[flaps]

 

[Crankyshank]

It truly saddens me how little people know about history nowadays.
It's so important to know what happened in the past in order to create a better future.

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by Maleficent13
MB 1, DawnCT, 0!

I am not sure what your score board means. I don't believe that I ever indicated that we should not study history. With the amount of young people who have little or no knowledge of history, one has to ask what the prevailing attitude is lately. So yes, I cast a vote for history and for all of the reasons stated. I would like to see a list however, so when the issue comes up, I have lots of reasons besides my own.

 

[Nickunited]

Why? - well I feel that knowing our history is important to know what the USA stands for!

This country has been built by hard labor, sweat and tears. We have made mistakes and have learned from them. We fought hard to win our independence and worked hard to create our government. Our history is filled with hard work and I feel that is why Americans are so into working!!

But for those who live here - I feel should all learn it. You will appreciate where we live even more when you hear how hard our founding fathers work to create our home.

Learn US history and you will never look at the flag the same way. It really means something! We have the most beautiful flag in the world. Forget that - to me - I live in the greatest country in the world. We might not be perfect, but who is.

Sometimes people tend to worry about our imperfections and forget to realize that they live in a free country.

There are other great countries in this world, but learn US history and you will learn to appreciate this one a whole lot more!

I also love world history. I enjoy learning about other countries as well. I appreciate other countries more when I learn their history!

 

[brerrabbit]

"Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it" John F Kennedy Reason for history.

" Did we give up when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbour?" Bluto Blutarski from Animal House, and 99 out of 100 of Jay Leno's people on the street. Reason to study history.

" Hitler did not execute 6 miilion Jews, That's just Zionist Propaganda" White Surprimisist Doctrine, Reason to study history.

The list goes on and on.........

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I think Nickuniteds answer sums up my feelings.

 

[Lisa96]

I think it should be studied because it's interesting, as well as informative. I don't understand how people these days can be so into reality shows but not want to learn about history! It covers people who were much more complex and exciting than the idiots on TV. Is it in how it's presented as being so far off that no one can identify with those events? I always try to tie in the many different ways that a historical person could have been influenced or how an event was changed by other things that students might not connect - like how literature, art & music are all entwined with history. Or I try to give background that lets students know that things were different (ie, during the Revolution patriots thought of themselves as Englishmen, not Americans, so how would that affect how they thought of the Revolution.)
It is a bad thing, IMHO, to not be aquainted with not only our own history but that of the world. How can you expect to understand what goes on in the world today with out bringing some frame of reference to it? For me, history is tied up with everything I enjoy. I think of it as the story behind all that I do - if I hadn't studied history much of the flavor would be absent. I could marvel at standing in the wheeltracks of a Roman chariot in Jordan, appreciate the struggle of the Pilgrims when standing in the hold of the Mayflower, shiver to touch the stones of Stonehenge - if I hadn't known about these things just seeing them would have no meaning, no context. Instead I can feel myself as part of a link in the continuing story.

(Should I cue up "The Circle of Life"? I think I'm getting sappy!)

 

[mtblujeans]

Originally posted by jrydberg
History is how we became what we are today. If we don't know history, we don't know ourselves.

Or how we got where we are today (good or bad)!

 

[DawnCt1]

See, isn't this fun and there are no wrong answers.

 

[ford family]

I think US history is something that should be studied by all people, not just Americans. The discovery, the exploration, the conflicts, the building of a better nation and, latterly, that nation's effort to build a better world, affect every one of us every day wherever we are.

Part of our family holiday this year was in Washington DC. We were awed by the whole experience, the monuments, the museums, the tradition, the ceremonies and the people. Where else could you blend the gravitas of the Lincoln Memorial with the emotion of Martin Luther King's "I have a dream..." speech? Compare the meticulous changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with the simplicity of JFK's gravesite? Contrast the aspirations of the Air and Space Museum with the desperation of the US Holocaust Museum?

We would be poorer for not studying history.

ford family

 

[danacara]

It gives us something to write about, and knowing how to write and construct an argument might be the most valuable skill we can have in the internet age.

Also, heck, US History is sexy. It's a lot of winning, strong women, beautiful vistas, pioneer spirit, bloody war, the phoenix always rising up from the ashes.

 

[rcyannacci]

This is a topic that I feel pretty passionate about because I am currently studying and teaching history (cultural/art history, specifically American performance history).

I hear a lot of people saying that we've lost touch with history, but I see it everywhere in everyday activities, not just in classrooms. The rise in local cultural festivals, the surge in historical fiction in bookstores, the increased interest in family geneaologies, the success of the history channel, etc... More and more, elementary and high school teachers are finding ways to make national history come to life for students, primarily because of the recent trends towards social history, a shift away from wars and generals and towards the daily experiences of everyday people. It is a good shift, I think, because it allows for the inclusion of experiences by certain populations (women, African-Americans, Asian-Americans, etc.) that have been previously neglected.

Teaching history is complicated because there are different points of view about what should be taught. Whose history and who decides? Did Columbus "discover" America, or did he lead the "conquest" of America? I'll never forget the day I came home from 1st grade and told my dad (another historian) that Columbus discovered America...I was only 6 but I began to understand through our conversation that I was only getting one side of the story.

Yes, history is important to a student's education. And national history is key because it teaches vital lessons of citizenship. But I also think that students need to learn more about *how* history is written- what decisions are made about what stories get told and who gets to make these decisions. History may be about the past, but it is always written in the present and it can tell us just as much about ourselves as those who came before us.

 

[frndshpcptn]

Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it" John F Kennedy Reason for history.

I thought this quote came from George Satayana?

 

[2gether]

I think we need to know our history so we will not accept the lies of the present (see the poster about the Nazi's).

We can also take great pride in the accomplishments of many generations of Americans, and be humbled by their failings.

And, knowing we are a part of a unique and progressive movement, that is, democracy and capitalism, enables us to have a greater view of who we are as A PEOPLE. Not many people, but ONE people, Americans!