History is the study of the past, of the lessons the past holds, and of how past actions influence our lives and values today. The sources of historical understanding and the way they are used are constantly being re-evaluated. Today, historians employ a battery of research techniques, from statistical analysis, group psychology, material culture and photography, to more traditional written sources.
History is a cultural survival tool.
As the collective memory of a people, history has provided comfort and strength to human beings in many circumstances. Black slaves in the southern United States used their African folk history to retain an identity and survive the brutality of slavery. French Canadians have kept their memories as a people alive for over 300 years. All of Canada has relied on its collective history to build and maintain a separate identity in North America. Knowledge of their history inspires ethnic groups and nations with a sense of what sets them apart and makes them unique.