Why?

That is the question that history helps to answer. It is more than just a bunch of dates and names to memorize and put in order--it is a story that explains how things got to be the way they are today. History is a useful medium for studying human thoughts and ideas, and the societies created by the resulting actions. From learning about individuals, one can learn about entire civilizations, and by learning about the civilization and world events of the time, one can better understand the individuals living in it. One can learn about what works, what does not, and why. The various traditions and beliefs instilled in different societies throughout the past still influence the actions of people in the modern world. It is difficult to imagine that anyone would not be excited about studying the world's history!