TDIH: Thomas Jefferson on History

"I value it as a morsel of genuine history," he explained, "a thing so rare as to be always valuable."

On this day in 1817, Thomas Jefferson sends a pamphlet to John Adams, but he asks that Adams return the pamphlet once he is done with it. "I value it as a morsel of genuine history," he explained, "a thing so rare as to be always valuable."

Indeed, Jefferson often spoke of the importance of history, as when he wrote that it is "truly unfortunate that those engaged in public affairs so rarely make notes of transactions passing within their knowledge. Hence history becomes fable instead of fact. The great outlines may be true, but the incidents and coloring are according to the faith or fancy of the writer."

Hmmm. What would he think of what is happening today?

Dear regular readers: Back to full stories tomorrow, but the quote caught my attention for today. The value of history is why I keep this page going, after all. Happy Thursday!