"History is the systematic study and documentation of the human past."
The study of past events, particularly in human affairs.
Ancient civilizations: The study of the earliest known human societies, including Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece.
Medieval Europe: The period between the 5th and 15th centuries in Europe, characterized by feudalism, the spread of Christianity, and the emergence of nation-states.
Renaissance and Reformation: The cultural and intellectual movements that marked the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of modern history, including the scientific revolution and the Protestant Reformation.
Age of Exploration: The period of European global exploration and colonization that began in the 15th century with Columbus and continued through the 17th century.
Enlightenment: The intellectual movement of the 18th century that emphasized reason, individualism, and the pursuit of scientific knowledge.
Industrial Revolution: The period in the 18th and 19th centuries of rapid technological change and economic growth, which brought about major changes in society and the economy.
Revolutions and Nationalism: The political upheavals and social changes that accompanied the rise of nationalist movements in Europe and America during the 19th and 20th centuries.
World Wars: The two major global conflicts of the 20th century, which resulted in the loss of millions of lives and significant political and social changes.
Cold War: The period of political and military tension between the United States and the Soviet Union, which lasted from the end of World War II until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Modern Globalization: The phenomenon of increasing interconnectedness and interdependence of the world's economies, cultures, and societies since the late 20th century.
Political history: The study of political events, movements, and systems.
Military history: The study of military conflicts, strategies, and tactics.
Economic history: The study of economic systems, trade, and commerce.
Social history: The study of society, culture, and social changes over time.
Cultural history: Similar to social history, but with a focus on cultural trends, practices, and expressions.
Intellectual history: The study of the development of ideas, philosophies, and ideologies.
Environmental history: The study of human interactions with the natural world, including the impact of changing ecosystems on human societies.
Diplomatic history: The study of international relations and diplomacy.
Gender history: The study of gender roles and relationships in historical contexts.
Legal history: The study of laws, legal systems, and court cases.
Medical history: The study of health, medicine, and disease in historical contexts.
Labor history: The study of workers, labor movements, and labor conditions over time.
Urban history: The study of cities, urban growth and development, and urban culture.
Rural history: The study of rural life, agriculture, and rural culture.
Global history: An approach to history that emphasizes global interconnectedness and the impact of cross-border interactions on historical events.
World history: The study of the history of the world as a whole, often emphasizing the interconnectedness of different regions and societies.
"The period of events before the invention of writing systems is considered prehistory."
"Historians seek knowledge of the past using historical sources such as written documents, oral accounts, art and material artifacts, and ecological markers."
"Historians debate which narrative best explains an event, as well as the significance of different causes and effects."
"History differs from myth in that it is supported by verifiable evidence."
"Herodotus, a 5th-century BC Greek historian, is often considered the 'father of history.'"
"Along with his contemporary Thucydides, he (Herodotus) helped form the foundations for the modern study of past events and societies."
"Though he (Herodotus) has been criticized as the 'father of lies.'"
"In East Asia, a state chronicle, the Spring and Autumn Annals, was reputed to date from as early as 722 BC."
"Historians seek knowledge of the past using historical sources such as written documents, oral accounts, art and material artifacts, and ecological markers."
"The ancient cultural influences have helped create variant interpretations of the nature of history, which have evolved over the centuries and continue to change today."
"History is incomplete and still has debatable mysteries."
"History is taught as a part of primary and secondary education."
"Its usefulness in giving perspective on the problems of the present."
"Historians debate the nature of history as an end in itself, and its usefulness in giving perspective on the problems of the present."
"Stories common to a particular culture, but not supported by external sources, are usually classified as cultural heritage or legends."
"The modern study of history is wide-ranging, and includes the study of specific regions and certain topical or thematic elements of historical investigation."
"History is an umbrella term comprising past events as well as the memory, discovery, collection, organization, presentation, and interpretation of these events."
"The nature of history as an end in itself, and its usefulness in giving perspective on the problems of the present."
"Reputed to date from as early as 722 BC, though only 2nd-century BC texts have survived."