History is the study of the past, specifically how it relates to humans.

It is an umbrella term that relates to past events as well as the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about these events. Scholars who write about history are called historians. Events occurring prior to written record are considered prehistory. All events that are remembered and preserved in some authentic form constitute the historical record. The term "history" has now come to be applied to accounts of events that are narrated in a chronological order, and deal with the past of mankind. The importance of history is in its capacity to help one to draw conclusions from the past events. It may be said that history is to the human race, what memory is to each man. It sheds the light of the past upon the present, thus helping one to understand oneself, by making one acquainted with other peoples. Also, as one studies the rise and fall of empires and civilizations, the lessons of the past help one to avoid the pitfalls of the present. History makes ones life richer by giving meaning to the books one reads, the cities one visits or the music one hears. It also broadens ones outlook by presenting to one an admixture of races, a mingling of cultures and a spectacular drama of the making of the modern world out of diverse forces. Another importance of history is that it enables one to grasp ones relationship with ones past. History is of immense value to social scientists engaged in research. Thus the political scientist doing research on the parliamentary form of government, has to draw his materials from the treasure trove of history. It preserves the traditional and cultural values of a nation, and serves as a beacon of light, guiding society in right direction.