[00:12.26]People often wonder why historians go to so much trouble to preserve millions of books,
[00:19.41]documents and records of the past. Why do we have libraries? What good are these documents and the history books?
[00:27.97]Why do we record and save the actions of men, the negotiations of statesmen and the campaigns of armies?
[00:36.06]Because, sometimes, the voice of experience can cause us to stop, look and listen.
[00:45.19]And because, sometimes, past records, correctly interpreted, can give us warning of what to do and what not to do.
[00:56.72]If we are ever to create enduring peace, we must seek its origins in human experience and in the record of human idealism.
[01:07.15]From the story of the fortitude, courage and devotion of men and women,
[01:12.52]we create the inspirations of youth. From stories of the Christian martyrs,
[01:19.33]right down to Budapest’s heroic martyrs of today, history records the suffering,
[01:26.87]the self denial, the devotion and the heroic deeds of men.
[01:32.54]Surely from these records there can come help to mankind in our confusions and perplexities,
[01:39.47]and in our yearnings for peace.
[01:42.27]The supreme purpose of history is a better world. History gives a warning to those who would promote war.
[01:51.23]History brings inspiration to those who seek peace. In short, history helps us learn.
[01:59.31]Yesterday’s records can keep us from repeating yesterday’s mistakes.
[02:04.42]And from the pieces of mosaic assembled by historians come the great murals which represent the progress of mankind.
