History is the record of mankind on Earth from prehistoric times to the present. It helps us understand how our present way of life developed. The document outlines the major periods of history, including the prehistoric period from 1,000,000 BC to 4000 BC, and the historic period from 1400 BC to present day, which is further divided into ancient, medieval, and modern history. Key individuals who study history include historians, paleontologists/archaeologists, and anthropologists.