My love of history goes as far back as I remember, being particularly drawn to the American Revolution and the U.S. Civil War. By learning about the past, we can better understand the context of the present and help direct our future. American history is often invoked haphazardly as a way to sway public opinion. It is critical to understand our history and to be able to place conversations about it in the proper context. A proper understanding of history engenders critical thinking and analytical skills which can be applied. It is also critical to take a wide view of history and understand the experience of different social, cultural, and ethnic groups over time.
