History is a branch of knowledge concerned with the study of past events. Historians study records of events and prepare new accounts based on their research. These written accounts attempt to explain the causes and effects of events and offer interpretations of them.
The study and writing of history make the past meaningful by preserving structure, values, and continuity for present society. This article discusses history as a field of investigation and knowledge.
History is more than memory and different from myth. Unlike memory, history is constructed from evidence. Unlike myth, history is subject to critical examination and correction. Historians are committed to telling a verifiable account of the past and offering rational explanations for the course of events. Historians are required to offer evidence in support of assertions, create balanced and well-informed accounts, and make an honest, good-faith attempt to overcome personal bias.
