History and the past

A big question thats thrown around a lot is what is the difference between history and the past.  The past is behind us.  It can never reoccur again.  It's something that has already happened and will stay that way forever.  History is something that is always growing in the past present and future.  History is something that can reoccur, that can change no matter what.  The past and history may sound very much alike but in my eyes they are not even close.