1. **State the problem:** Calculate the value of $1^2$. 2. **Recall the exponentiation rule:** For any number $a$, $a^n$ means multiplying $a$ by itself $n$ times. 3. **Apply the rule:** Here, $1^2 = 1 \times 1$. 4. **Calculate:** $1 \times 1 = 1$. 5. **Conclusion:** Therefore, $1^2 = 1$.