Most important, they teach us that the current events holding our attention right now are always preceded by history, that every year is filled with good and bad happenings, and that learning from important events in our past leads not only to an understanding of where we are today, but also to an appreciation of how much progress is yet to be made to ensure all people can fully embrace the benefits of equal justice and democratic ideals that America has always sought to espouse and protect.
-- Narrator (Introduction)

Importance: The quote directly explains why Sandler believes in the importance of studying history. It also establishes the value of studying history as two-fold. Learning from the past is often cited as a primary reason for studying history, but Sandler takes the importance of the field a step further by emphasizing how much progress still needs to be made in society. History therefore becomes...