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[[File:Washington-deleware.jpg|thumb|280px|General George Washington, Chief of the Continental Army, is shown crossing the Delaware River.]]

[[File:Washington-deleware.jpg|thumb|280px|General George Washington, Chief of the Continental Army, is shown crossing the Delaware River.]]

'''History''' has two meanings. On the one hand it is the sum of events in the human past. On the other it is academic discipline of researching written, oral, or archaeological sources, as well as of communicating the results of such research and reconstructing the findings into a coherent narrative or meaningful analysis.  This article deals with academic history, or "'''historiography'''".

'''History''' has two meanings. On the one hand it is the sum of events in the human past. On the other it is an academic discipline centered on researching written, oral, or archaeological sources, as well as communicating the results of such research and reconstructing the findings into a coherent narrative or meaningful analysis.  This article deals with academic history, or "'''historiography'''".

History is conventionally divided chronologically into ancient, medieval and modern periods, and into specific geographical areas (especially those controlled by a nation state or empire). Academic studies of history attempt to document past events, as well as interpret or explain them according to various methodologies.  '''Prehistory''' deals with mankind before written records, and is part of [[Archaeology]], with little overlap with history.  Popular history (or "heritage") is related to folklore, antiques, and old monuments; more generally it concerns memories of the past constructed by a group.  Scholarly historians in recent years have been studying how popular history and heritage are constructed and how they affect people. Sacred history concerns divinely inspired events and is handled by religion scholars.  

History is conventionally divided chronologically into ancient, medieval and modern periods, and into specific geographical areas (especially those controlled by a nation state or empire). Academic studies of history attempt to document past events, as well as interpret or explain them according to various methodologies.  '''Prehistory''' deals with mankind before written records, and is part of [[Archaeology]], with little overlap with history.  Popular history (or "heritage") is related to folklore, antiques, and old monuments; more generally it concerns memories of the past constructed by a group.  Scholarly historians in recent years have been studying how popular history and heritage are constructed and how they affect people. Sacred history concerns divinely inspired events and is handled by religion scholars.