Why is history important.?

Question

I don't hate or enjoy history, but I can't find its use in life. My elementary school teachers and my history teachers in middle school always told me that history will teach you not to repeat the mistakes your ancestors did. Then most of them say in a later point of the school year that history is doomed to repeat itself. If that is true then how does history teach us to to repeat our ancestor's mistakes?

Answer 1

History can never repeat itself.  It is important to learn past mistakes and successes.  History also gives us a more complete picture when considering world events.  Imagine trying to understand the Middle East without knowing its history (as most don't).  It is critical for everyone to understand history if they intend on voting.  How else could you determine which politician's policies make more sense?

Answer 2

History is possibly my favoirte subject.

History is important beacuse it not only shows us the mistakes we made and how to avoid them, but also lets us learn from some of the brightest, most amazing people ever to live. It lets us see how far we've gotten, and allows insight into human behavior, which in turn will allow us to stop history from repeating itself.  

Answer 3

It is commonly acknowledged that an understanding of the past is fundamental to an understanding of the present. The analysis and interpretation of history provide an essential context for evaluating contemporary institutions, politics, and cultures. Understanding the present configuration of society is not the only reason to study the past; history also provides unique insight into human nature and human civilization. By demanding that we see the world through the eyes of others, that we develop a sense of context and coherence while recognizing complexity and ambiguity, and that we confront the record not only of human achievement but also of human failure, cruelty, and barbarity, the study of history provides us with a richly-textured, substantive framework for understanding the human condition and grappling with moral questions and problems. History is essential to the traditional objectives of the liberal arts, the quest for wisdom and virtue.