History Lesson

It is common for students to ask why they need to bother to study history. In my reading I came across a statement from the past that I found chilling when considering the present circumstances in America. The following quote is from a statement made by Hermann Gőring at his trial at Nuremberg: “The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. This is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in every country.” Awareness of the past can help us to be more discerning citizens in the present so that we may create a better future.