Yes. Every society has their own origin stories, and that’s what this is
Rome had Remus and Romulus. America has Christopher Columbus and the founding fathers
They’re a mix of actual events, myth, and the morals we aspire to as a society. Even very recently formed countries reframe their history this way
Actual history, when you study it academically, is mostly petty people making personal decisions that work out. It’s messy compromises and opportunities falling into people’s laps. Sometimes there’s ideals, but it’s mostly compromises
But that’s not what we generally teach… We always frame the story in a way to highlight the values we believe define us as a society. Even when we change the story - what we teach to children is always a reflection of the values we aspire to
Yes. Every society has their own origin stories, and that’s what this is
Rome had Remus and Romulus. America has Christopher Columbus and the founding fathers
They’re a mix of actual events, myth, and the morals we aspire to as a society. Even very recently formed countries reframe their history this way
Actual history, when you study it academically, is mostly petty people making personal decisions that work out. It’s messy compromises and opportunities falling into people’s laps. Sometimes there’s ideals, but it’s mostly compromises
But that’s not what we generally teach… We always frame the story in a way to highlight the values we believe define us as a society. Even when we change the story - what we teach to children is always a reflection of the values we aspire to