Recently, on a visit to a chain retail store, I wandered into the education section. It was brimming with books on math, science, and reading, but something felt off. The more I looked, the more I realized that the books about history were missing!
But why should that matter? Isn’t it more important to learn math and science, over something trivial like history? What do we use history for, in our everyday lives anyway? What’s the big deal?
Well, history explains who we are and where we’ve come from. As human beings, we’re always looking for answers, whether they are answers to the meaning of life, or what’s for dinner. Much of what we’re searching for can be found by studying history. Where do I come from? Who am I? What’s special about me? All of these things can be answered, by looking to the past. We are human beings, who have risen from wars, plagues, and famines. We are people living in a technical age, given to us by our ancestors, who pushed the boundaries of innovation. Without them, we wouldn’t have electricity to cool our homes, and charge our computers and phones. We also wouldn’t have cars or indoor plumbing.
We are living, breathing history. We have our own languages that have developed over thousands of years. We have strong belief systems, built on traditions. We have recipes that have been passed down from one generation to the next. The past helps us understand the human experience. Culture, values, and religion all need history to thrive.
Some people believe that learning about history is boring, but it doesn’t have to be! Historical Conquest strives to change this idea of “boring history.” We have an exciting tabletop game, that makes history fun. Students learn about the past, by playing a game! As they strategize the best ways to conquer, or achieve world peace, they’ll be studying information about historical figures and events that appear on the Historical Conquest cards. Without realizing it, they’ll memorize amazing facts about the past, and be able to apply them outside of the game. The proof of that is shown in our new collection of essays, written by students, in “Students Teaching History.”
Historical Conquest has also released a brand new American Revolution Curriculum and companion game. The curriculum is completely online, with videos and interactive activities. In this innovative work, we’ve tossed out the pressure of remembering dates, and focused on the story of history. Students will learn about the real George Washington – not the fable with the wooden teeth. They’ll also be exposed to a number of diverse viewpoints, and allowed a chance to see history from the point-of-view of women, African-Americans (both freed, and forced into slavery), French heroes, and British soldiers.
It’s important to make time for history, and to study the past, but it doesn’t have to be boring or strenuous. In fact, it can be engaging and exciting! Check out all of the mentioned products, and more, at Historicalconquest.com.