UCLA’s National Center for History in the Schools argues that history education is the “precondition of political intelligence.” Students who study history are better prepared to handle current-day problems, and by understanding past decisions, students can be aware of different choices and the benefits and consequences of each decision. Studying history also improves critical thinking skills because it requires students to analyze and make arguments about events and support their opinions with evidence.
History also teaches students about cultures around the globe. Students might notice similarities between various nations and their own as well as how others' lives differ from their way of life. It is important for students to learn about recent history as well as institutions founded thousands of years ago because it allows them to understand the evolution of humankind and how far people have come.