Why History is Important for Understanding the Present

In this age of social media and twenty-four-hour news cycles, misinformation and even “fake news” abounds. Citizens looking for context will often turn to history for answers.

However, not all histories are created equal. The threat of dictators and ideologues twisting histories for their political or social agendas is very real.

With this in mind, historian and author Margaret MacMillan spoke recently to supporters of the Canada’s History Editor’s Circle about the crucial need to both challenge bad histories — and to think critically and thoughtfully about the past.

Margaret MacMillan is professor of History at the University of Toronto and professor emeritus of International History at Oxford University. Her latest book is War: How Conflict Shaped Us.

This recording was made at a special event in Toronto for supporters of the Canada’s History Editor’s Circle.