It is generally recognized that each moment in time is carved into stone, bled into memory, and chronicled into history. Of these fragments, only a select few are ever universally known, let alone acknowledged by more than a mere number of souls. But every piece of history has significance and substance. Even the ones deemed trivial hold value. A childhood memory shaped an identity, a slight decision at a fork in the road impacted a future. Thus, the ones that do reach the grasp of many should be cherished and held in loving arms. History is arguably one of the most important topics to study and reflect upon. It is what builds understanding of change, a fundamental need of every society. 

History illustrates the way things have succeeded and failed in the past and gives us an understanding of such. These understandings are what we have learned from society’s past mistakes and experiences. Through this, we learn how to approach the future in an informed and educated manner to further prevent past faults and grow as a community. By studying history, we are taught to make connections between the past and present-day, connections which are vital to building a better future. 

Furthermore, the study of history not only helps us as a society develop a better understanding of the world and the necessity of change but additionally shapes us as individuals. Through studying past human affairs, we further learn about the ethnic, racial, or national groups we belong to. History teaches us the past of our ancestors, our legacies, and our roles in society. By understanding what we have inherited and how our stories merge with those of our ancestors, we can develop our own sense of self and identity. Likewise, these studies also educate us on the stories of those who differ from us. Learning the experiences of other cultures helps us acknowledge how they have influenced and affected our own. Because of these lessons, we get the opportunity to discover the importance of the past and relate such to the further development of modern society. “History can’t be a sword to justify injustice or a shield against progress, but must be a manual for how to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.”