A Yearbook Is Worth a Million Memories

Where did the Yearbook Come From?

A yearbook is a book that has a history many aren't aware of. These books were first created in the Middle Ages as a way to record legal decisions. Not all decisions were captured but the more important ones were and those decisions helped to mold the way modern societies handle certain legal issues.

Since a yearbook was used to record such important moments and issues, teachers and students decided to use them once more. Instead of being used for legal issues, they were used to record more personal memories. It was also a way to show all graduates that have attended that school. It also shows the growth of the schools at time progressed.

The earlier version of the yearbook was little more than a small bit of information about the graduates of the time and a small sketch of them. These books lead to more elaborate books. The next year book that was made was purely generated by students. These books included literature from students and calendars as well as other items submitted by their student body.

The earliest version of the modern picture yearbook didn't appear until the 1940s. Photography was used to capture images of the students and school activities. As times progressed and students had more things to impart in the yearbook, the book actually evolved. Students' wanting purchase yearbooks each year is a tradition that really began with the picture yearbook.

Why do People Want It

For many, having a record of their personal history and of the school's history was very important. So many relationships are formed during this time, many people share bonds. These are the relationships people remember after years have passed and having a yearbook helps to keep the memories sharp.

The best part about the yearbook is usually the messages that friends and staff members write. The messages are usually personal, a way to remember the writer and the relationship shared with the owner. These messages usually are the main way people remember happy moments and relationships they may no longer have with their classmates and teachers.

Keeping a yearbook is also almost always done. It is a way that people share memories with their descendants, a solid proof of certain experiences. Often times, it helps to clear foggy memories.

The yearbook was a book that was used to preserve legal decisions. It is something that was referred to and helped shape many legal traditions that are still followed today. Modern yearbooks are still used to preserve a small piece of history, personal history. Although the histories recorded are different in nature, the idea is still the same and just as important.