History happened 60 years ago. 15 years ago. 10 minutes ago. 45 seconds ago. So when you learn history, ignore the concept of it completely. Ignore the black and white color of photographs. Ignore the faded hues of older media. Just read and watch reality. Imagine it as if it was today.

You'll be enlightened and even shocked by what you find when you think of the sociology and psychology of it all, and forget the concept of time. Understand it all as just a continuously moving and shifting stream of ideas and events.
Understand their causes and effects at any given time period, and you'll be able to accurately pinpoint what's going on currently.