What is History...?????

Minoring in History I have had to read several articles dealing with the truth behind what is considered to be history. This was the first step to determine how and why things are like they are now. I have grown to appreciate this term and have learned the importance of finding out the true meaning. The writer in this article is trying to make one understand that history is not just what’s written in a text book, but everyone creates history everyday of their lives. History is the memory of the things said and done. Every man is a historian. “I agree that history includes everything said and done, to a certain extent. The relevance to each individual’s life determines the significance and importance of a certain event. Also, it should only be studied, perhaps, if the event has a certain impact on the person who is studying it. If the action proved to be important to the individual in the present of future, that incident would be a sort of personal history. The type of history that is commonly taught is the less personal kind. History teachers think that this type of national history has more relevance to each person’s life than the more individual events. However, sometimes the personal events are more important and leave a bigger impact on an individual than the national history. In the article one definition, history is defined as “a written count of events, particularly those affecting a nation, institution, science, or art.” I think the definition of History completely counteracts the original quote. In my opinion, if one were to do something that only affected himself, it would still be history. It would not have that big on an impact on the world, but to that person, it could have been very influential. Another definition of history says that it “is a methodical record of important events which concern a community of men.” Once again, my opinion of history does not have to affect a community of men in order for it to be important or significant. Also, history does not have to be written in order for it to be relevant or to have an impact. Even a simple story passed on from generation to generation with clues from the past is a form of history. I agree with the article when it states, “history is simply just the memory of past events.” Every person has a different perspective on occurrences because every person has personal bias and opinions. That is what makes every person individual. Personal prejudice can come from ethcity and background; people from different environments and races tend to things contrarily. Also, age and gender can affect the personal opinions of an individual. History must be taught in order to learn from the mistakes of the past and use them to prevent or repeat occurrences in the present or future. However, there is more to history than what is taught in schools. However, there is more to history than what is taught in schools. To me, anything at all is significant in the past is history.