History is both art and science. It inspires creativity and imagination even as it demands precision, critical analysis, and objectivity. This balance suggests the essential value of history. Historical knowledge helps us understand the political, economic, social, intellectual, and cultural forces that have conditioned the human experience. History also examines the attempts of individuals and groups to direct, control, or resist these forces through political campaigns, public discussions and private negotiations, struggles for independence, mass movements, and other efforts.

The study of history is therefore important because it fosters a life-long appreciation of both change and continuity in human society. In learning to analyze how and why values, ideas, institutions, and behavior change over time; in evaluating contrasting interpretations of events; and in communicating thoughtful assessment of contemporary debates, and a more informed and enlightened sense of citizenship.