In The Tragic History of the Antarctica Whaling Industry, learn about the devastating impact of industrial whaling. Human activity has transformed the Southern Ocean, nearly driving iconic species like the blue whale and southern right whale to extinction. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Seven Worlds, One Planet, a series featuring remarkable animal behavior from all seven continents.
In The History of Kashan, Iran, host Joanna Lumley visits the small city of Kashan in Iran, which is surrounded by desert. Ancient traders followed camel routes through the desert and Kashan grew from an oasis. Joanna visits a family of carpet weavers to see how the process of making Persian carpets continues today. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.
In The History and Culture of Georgia, host Joanna Lumley explores the ancient kingdom of Georgia, which dates back over 1,000 years. Learn about the country's history, which has been shaped by many powerful neighboring countries, and the rich culture of Tbilisi. Through the lens of dance and costume, see how these art forms have been used to promote and preserve the Georgian identity. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.
In The History of Silk Production in Venice, host Joanna Lumley explores how the silk trade transformed the city’s economy and culture. She visits the Bevilacqua family, who have been producing silk for over 500 years, using traditional hand looms that date back centuries. Watch the time-consuming and intricate process of silk weaving, emphasizing why these fabrics are so valuable. Learn about Venice's connection to the Silk Road and how silk production influenced the city’s development. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.
In The History of the Lincoln Memorial, historian Lucy Worsley investigates how the Northern Union Forces defeated the Southern Confederates in the Civil War. She visits the Lincoln Memorial and learns that the 36 columns represent the 36 states that were in the Union after the war. This video is excerpted from BBC's American History's Biggest Fibs With Lucy Worsley, in which Worsley reveals the myths and manipulations behind American history.
In The History of Toilets, presenter Ruth Goodman is at Westminster in London to learn how the toilet was invented. Learn what the development of the toilet has to do with Queen Elizabeth, the Thames River, Thomas Crapper, and public health. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Inside the Factory, a series that takes viewers behind the scenes in the factories that make our favorite products.
In The History of Toilet Paper, presenter Ruth Goodman talks to a toilet historian to learn about the history of toilet paper. Learn how people cleaned themselves before toilet paper, and how advertisers have convinced us to want toilet paper. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Inside the Factory, a series that takes viewers behind the scenes in the factories that make our favorite products.
The article "Blood and Fame: Shocking Moments in Ancient Gladiator History" from BBC's HistoryExtra explores the history of gladiator combat in ancient Rome. It traces its origins to Etruscan funeral rituals and details how Julius Caesar, the emperors, and other political figures used these deadly games to gain power and favor.
This Women’s History Month, invite your students to step into the role of historian, storyteller, and researcher as they create profiles of extraordinary women in history. Our Women’s History Biography Template is designed for ages 8–14 and helps students organize key facts, explore challenges and accomplishments, and reflect on why these figures still matter today. With guided sections for important life events, obstacles overcome, and lasting impact, this ready-to-use template supports research skills, critical thinking, and strong writing.
To get started, visit our Figures in Women’s History microsite and explore a rich video library featuring trailblazing leaders, artists, scientists, and activists. Learn about Jane Goodall and her pioneering work in conservation and animal behavior, or dive into the groundbreaking research and storytelling of Zora Neale Hurston, who preserved and celebrated African American folklore and culture. Students can also discover figures who fought for women's suffrage, advanced medicine, and transformed sports. This is a great jumping off point for students to begin further research on their chosen icon.
By 1860, the United States had been arguing over slavery for decades. This playlist follows that argument as it hardened into war. It covers the people who resisted slavery, the court case that denied Black Americans citizenship, a raid that pushed the country closer to the edge, and the election that led seven states to secede before Lincoln took office. Each video runs a few minutes and focuses on a single turning point, so the series can be watched start to finish or one video at a time.
Each video comes with discussion questions, vocabulary, a writing prompt ,and classroom activities — all printable from the video page. Questions include why Southern states seceded after Lincoln’s election and how the Civil War split families in border states.
Teachers and Parents: The videos are in chronological order and work as a full unit introduction for students 11–18. They can also be assigned individually to set up a specific lesson. The opening video, from BBC’s American History’s Biggest Fibs With Lucy Worsley, puts slavery at the center of the conflict and gives students a framework for the rest of the list. The Kentucky video closes the list and leads into the companion playlist, The Civil War and Its Aftermath, which runs from the Emancipation Proclamation through the end of Reconstruction. Use the "Share With Students" feature to assign videos directly or "Add to Playlist" to build your own sequence.
Martin Luther was a German monk whose challenges to the Catholic Church helped spark the Protestant Reformation. In 1517, he published his 95 Theses, criticizing church practices, including the sale of indulgences. The printing press helped spread his ideas across Europe, bringing him into conflict with Pope Leo X. After refusing to recant his views, Luther was excommunicated in 1521. He later translated the New Testament into German, making scripture more accessible to German-speaking readers.
Luther’s ideas contributed to major religious and political changes across Europe, challenging the Catholic Church’s authority and helping establish new Protestant traditions. His legacy is complex: while his writings influenced Christianity for centuries, his later works also included condemnation of the Jewish faith. Examining Luther’s life reveals how religious dissent, new technology, and political conflict helped reshape European history.
In The Tragic History of the Antarctica Whaling Industry, learn about the devastating impact of industrial whaling. Human activity has transformed the Southern Ocean, nearly driving iconic species like the blue whale and southern right whale to extinction. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Seven Worlds, One Planet, a series featuring remarkable animal behavior from all seven continents.
In The History of Kashan, Iran, host Joanna Lumley visits the small city of Kashan in Iran, which is surrounded by desert. Ancient traders followed camel routes through the desert and Kashan grew from an oasis. Joanna visits a family of carpet weavers to see how the process of making Persian carpets continues today. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.
In The History and Culture of Georgia, host Joanna Lumley explores the ancient kingdom of Georgia, which dates back over 1,000 years. Learn about the country's history, which has been shaped by many powerful neighboring countries, and the rich culture of Tbilisi. Through the lens of dance and costume, see how these art forms have been used to promote and preserve the Georgian identity. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.
In The History of Silk Production in Venice, host Joanna Lumley explores how the silk trade transformed the city’s economy and culture. She visits the Bevilacqua family, who have been producing silk for over 500 years, using traditional hand looms that date back centuries. Watch the time-consuming and intricate process of silk weaving, emphasizing why these fabrics are so valuable. Learn about Venice's connection to the Silk Road and how silk production influenced the city’s development. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.
In The History of the Lincoln Memorial, historian Lucy Worsley investigates how the Northern Union Forces defeated the Southern Confederates in the Civil War. She visits the Lincoln Memorial and learns that the 36 columns represent the 36 states that were in the Union after the war. This video is excerpted from BBC's American History's Biggest Fibs With Lucy Worsley, in which Worsley reveals the myths and manipulations behind American history.
In The History of Toilets, presenter Ruth Goodman is at Westminster in London to learn how the toilet was invented. Learn what the development of the toilet has to do with Queen Elizabeth, the Thames River, Thomas Crapper, and public health. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Inside the Factory, a series that takes viewers behind the scenes in the factories that make our favorite products.
In The History of Toilet Paper, presenter Ruth Goodman talks to a toilet historian to learn about the history of toilet paper. Learn how people cleaned themselves before toilet paper, and how advertisers have convinced us to want toilet paper. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Inside the Factory, a series that takes viewers behind the scenes in the factories that make our favorite products.
The article "Blood and Fame: Shocking Moments in Ancient Gladiator History" from BBC's HistoryExtra explores the history of gladiator combat in ancient Rome. It traces its origins to Etruscan funeral rituals and details how Julius Caesar, the emperors, and other political figures used these deadly games to gain power and favor.
This Women’s History Month, invite your students to step into the role of historian, storyteller, and researcher as they create profiles of extraordinary women in history. Our Women’s History Biography Template is designed for ages 8–14 and helps students organize key facts, explore challenges and accomplishments, and reflect on why these figures still matter today. With guided sections for important life events, obstacles overcome, and lasting impact, this ready-to-use template supports research skills, critical thinking, and strong writing.
To get started, visit our Figures in Women’s History microsite and explore a rich video library featuring trailblazing leaders, artists, scientists, and activists. Learn about Jane Goodall and her pioneering work in conservation and animal behavior, or dive into the groundbreaking research and storytelling of Zora Neale Hurston, who preserved and celebrated African American folklore and culture. Students can also discover figures who fought for women's suffrage, advanced medicine, and transformed sports. This is a great jumping off point for students to begin further research on their chosen icon.
By 1860, the United States had been arguing over slavery for decades. This playlist follows that argument as it hardened into war. It covers the people who resisted slavery, the court case that denied Black Americans citizenship, a raid that pushed the country closer to the edge, and the election that led seven states to secede before Lincoln took office. Each video runs a few minutes and focuses on a single turning point, so the series can be watched start to finish or one video at a time.
Each video comes with discussion questions, vocabulary, a writing prompt ,and classroom activities — all printable from the video page. Questions include why Southern states seceded after Lincoln’s election and how the Civil War split families in border states.
Teachers and Parents: The videos are in chronological order and work as a full unit introduction for students 11–18. They can also be assigned individually to set up a specific lesson. The opening video, from BBC’s American History’s Biggest Fibs With Lucy Worsley, puts slavery at the center of the conflict and gives students a framework for the rest of the list. The Kentucky video closes the list and leads into the companion playlist, The Civil War and Its Aftermath, which runs from the Emancipation Proclamation through the end of Reconstruction. Use the "Share With Students" feature to assign videos directly or "Add to Playlist" to build your own sequence.
Martin Luther was a German monk whose challenges to the Catholic Church helped spark the Protestant Reformation. In 1517, he published his 95 Theses, criticizing church practices, including the sale of indulgences. The printing press helped spread his ideas across Europe, bringing him into conflict with Pope Leo X. After refusing to recant his views, Luther was excommunicated in 1521. He later translated the New Testament into German, making scripture more accessible to German-speaking readers.
Luther’s ideas contributed to major religious and political changes across Europe, challenging the Catholic Church’s authority and helping establish new Protestant traditions. His legacy is complex: while his writings influenced Christianity for centuries, his later works also included condemnation of the Jewish faith. Examining Luther’s life reveals how religious dissent, new technology, and political conflict helped reshape European history.