The Little Things

Sometimes my favorite thing about the study of history is something small and funny, something that really makes the history come alive or something that makes me laugh. Like knowing that David Souter eats the SAME THING for lunch everyday: an apple (the entire thing, core and all) and yogurt, or knowing that Ruth Bater Ginsburg hates having her chambers right above Clarence Thomas because the cigar smoke from his office blows up through the vents.

It's even funnier though when reading about historical figures that have been dead for hundreds of years (and even more important because the need to humanize them is much greater). An example: not much is known about Thomas Jefferson's mannerisms. He was exceedingly shy and timid in public situations and was once compared to an awkward stranger at a party who would silently hover from group to group without ever saying anything (that guy!). Also, whenever Jefferson was alone (or in the close company of his slaves or friends) he was always singing or humming to himself! He loved it.

Doesn't that make a previously unreachable historical figure a little more human? I love things like that-the little things. When studying history, it's important to keep in mind that less is more: never study too much history too fast or without much attention to detail. What's the point of that? Rather, study a more specific period of history, the people from that time, and what they did. And when you do this, don't be afraid of tightening the lens as tight as you can. Don't be afraid to learn about the little things-they'll make everything more human (and you'll laugh).

Chice