In Egypt, History for the People

The Egyptians who poured into the streets of their cities early this year were well aware that they were making history. "In 10 years, when I see my children studying Egyptian history, I want to say: 'I was there,'" Ahmad, a young demonstrator on his way into Tahrir Square, told me on February 4, a week before President Hosni Mubarak was driven from office.

Egypt is still living through its revolution, and still wondering what the outcome will be. What's certain is that the popular insurrection that toppled Mr. Mubarak will be remembered as a pivotal moment of the 21st century, one with many puzzles for historians to solve.

How were the protests planned? What led to the disintegration of President Mubarak's seemingly unshakeable security apparatus? How did the Egyptian military reach the decision not to fire on protesters? To allow Egyptians to dig for the answers to those questions, a group of historians, university professors, and activists is collaborating with Egypt's National Archives to document the uprising for posterity.

Khaled Fahmy, chair of the American University in Cairo's history department, heads the group, called the Committee to Document the 25th of January Revolution. By making all the materials available online, he and his collaborators also hope to offer a new model of an official historical archive, one that emphasizes public access rather than government control....