Micro Theme 11

        History can only mean so much without the visible, tangible evidence to back it up. From everything from King Tut’s burial chamber, all the way to Lewis and Clark, is backed uo by some sort of account or telling of the things that took place. This gives us an ability to seemingly relive certain events, and intake new knowledge about things that have already happened. A primary source is something that provides direct or first hand evidence to something that has already transpired. Primary sources are vital to unlocking the knowledge behind history, in political, economical, and cultural ways.

        One example of a primary source that has a huge effect on the world and the way we receive it, is the first inaugural address of Ronald Reagan. Reagan took a giant leap of faith with his address, stating that “government is not the solution to our problem; the government is the problem.”1 He was one of the first people to publically acknowledge that the government has a heavy hand in the sacrifices and downfalls that all of us have to take part in in our country. Reagan was a transformational president, having within him the ability to leave a monumental political legacy.

        One piece of history that many people will remember is the 2002 State of the Union address by George W. Bush, an event that summed up the pain in everyone’s hearts after the 9/11 incident, and the changes that would come to the country following. Taking place four months after the attack in New York, Bush was making it known that the U.S. would be taking the situation very seriously, speaking of how dangerous the new world would be. He reached out to the citizens, feeling the pain with them and giving sympathy for those who need it. It was very important in way of getting the country back on it’s feet, and in working condition.

        Primary sources are called primary for a reason: they should be the go-to for all historians, students, and people in general who want a reliable, factual source of information. They cover a broad range of topics, just about anything you could imagine, and are all verified and known to be a first-hand account. They should be saved, taken care of, and be made public so that all people can access the real accounts of what happened in history.