In response to Washington Post reporter Alyssa Rosenberg's solicitation, "What has studying the past taught you about the present?", NHD student Ira Parsons submitted this brief paper. He commented, "Although it was not one of the few she published, it was a great opportunity to express what NHD has taught me."
And don't forget, Ira won the Library of Congress medal (“Discovery or Exploration in History”) at 2025 National History Day finals, becoming the first person ever to win it twice.
NHD Nationals 2025
Washington Post: “What Has Studying the Past Taught You About the Present?”
Response from Ira Parsons
I have learned that, although our times, technology, languages, and cultures may vary, the people we study in the past are the same people we are today. Throughout history, most people have worked to better themselves and their families, hoping for a brighter future, and it is easy for me to see myself in them. History is as much what happened a thousand years ago as it is what happened five minutes ago.
Studying the past reveals mistakes and miscalculations that humans have made, providing an opportunity for us to learn and change our behavior. It has shown me the power of human resilience, offering inspiration to face adversity, and perspective on how people thought about themselves and their world, helping to understand how we view ourselves and our world.
Studying the past has taught me that change is constant, and that any predictions we have now about the future are as far-fetched as 1960s visions of personal jetpacks. It also has shown me how easily people can be misled, emphasizing the importance of reliable sources, verifiable facts, and critical thinking.
By studying the past, I have discovered tools to understand and navigate today’s world, which really is not so different from the past.
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| Library of Congress Steve Wesson presents Ira with his medal at the awards ceremony. |
