I find history to be interesting simply because I find people interesting. In the end, when all is said and done, history is the study of people, their behavior, values, likes and dislikes and the motivations that arise and in turn, influence their actions. Over the years I have often been asked why the study of history is so important. I sometimes think the real question is, why is it so boring.
History is important for several reasons.
First, events occurring today, both domestically and in foreign affairs, are often times rooted in events that have taken place in the past. Prejudices and conflicts sometimes go back several hundred years, emerging again in ethnic or religious clashes or in warfare. Understanding the past is a good starting point in understanding what is happening now. Secondly, decision makers, no matter at what level, look to history in an effort to find similar situations and identify the decisions made to deal with those situations in a successful manner. That doesn't mean the decision maker in question will mimic the decisions of the past.