The Relevance of History in Today’s World

I recently walked into my class for a history lesson. As I began writing on the board, I noticed one of my students, a girl, raising her hand. I was surprised, as I had barely entered the room, hadn't asked any questions, and wasn’t expecting anyone to participate yet.

"Yes, please, what is it?" I asked.

"Mr. Oliver, why do we learn about people from the past who died years ago? Honestly, it’s boring," she remarked.

I smiled and thanked her for introducing the topic I was about to teach: "What is History, and why do we learn it?" I wasn’t upset; I knew I needed to address something deeper than just her "attitude."

I turned to the class and asked, "How many of you feel the same way?" Nearly half the class raised their hands. I wasn’t surprised. Many people, if asked the same question, would likely feel the same. But think of it this way: Imagine I said, "I don’t like mathematics," yet I still use it daily for calculations. Saying history is boring is similar—because tomorrow, today will be history. If asked what happened, you could recount every detail as though you were living it again.

The relevance of history cannot be overstated—it touches every aspect of life. Removing history as a subject would be like saying we don’t want to learn or understand the origins of anything. We’d lose our point of reference. Without history, words like "development," "transformation," "civilization," "transition," and “progress” would lose their meaning. These concepts exist because we compare the past (history) with the present.

History provides crucial context for current events, helping us make sense of today’s challenges. For example, understanding the roots of conflicts, political systems, or economic trends requires a knowledge of historical developments. Issues like climate change, inequality, and migration have deep historical roots, shaping how we address them today.

History also plays a central role in shaping national, cultural, and individual identities. It connects people to their heritage, providing a sense of belonging and continuity. In our globalized world, understanding the historical experiences of different cultures fosters tolerance, empathy, and global citizenship.

Additionally, history lays the foundation for technological and scientific advancement. By studying past innovations and failures, today’s researchers can build on previous knowledge to create new technologies and solve modern problems.

The attitude that history is irrelevant is not new, but as a history teacher, it’s not my job to convince students why they should learn it. My role is to provide them with knowledge and let them decide for themselves whether history remains relevant in today’s world.

Written By Oliver Kasito Jnr