history

history, the discipline that studies the chronological record of events (as affecting a nation or people), based on a critical examination of source materials and usually presenting an explanation of their causes.

History is treated in a number of articles. For the principal treatment of the subject of historiography and the scholarly research necessary for the discipline, see historiography. Information on any specific historical topic, such as the history of specific peoples, cultures, countries, and regions, will be found under the relevant title. For information on the historical aspects of military affairs, economics, law, literature, sciences, art, philosophy, religion, and other fields of human endeavour, the reader should also first consult the relevant title and review the subtopics in the Table of Contents. The general articles contain many cross-references to specific historical movements and events and to biographies of significant figures.

Aspects of the topic history are discussed in the following places at Britannica.

Articles from Britannica encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.

history - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)

History is the study of the past. The study of history helps make sense of humankind. It also helps people understand the things that happen today and that may happen in the future.

history - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

A sense of the past is a light that illuminates the present and directs attention toward the possibilities of the future. Without an adequate knowledge of history-the written record of events as well as the events themselves-today’s events are disconnected occurrences. History is a science-a branch of knowledge that uses specific methods and tools to achieve its goals. To compile a history records are needed. Some of these are written records: government papers, diaries, letters, inscriptions, biographies, and many others. For ancient history, especially of the Middle East and China, there are lists of kings, of wars, and of significant events such as the building of temples or natural disasters. Archaeology uncovers many of these records. The laws promulgated by the Babylonian king Hammurabi (18th century BC) were inscribed on a stone pillar. The pillar, or stela, was discovered in 1901 (see archaeology; Hammurabi).