History resources for Teachers

A big thank you to our guide, Ciro. We paid full price for the tour, and are grateful he and his father Gaetano agreed to let me film and share a bit of what we learned. (The video was approved by Gaetano before releasing.) There is FAR more to see at Pompeii than I show in this video. We were very happy with our experience and found Ciro to be very professional and patient with our questions. You can book your own personal tour of Pompeii with Ciro or Gaetano at their website.

Archaeologists delve deeper into the secrets of Pompeii. As new ground is broken, discover fresh insights into the lives of those who once inhabited the city.

Class Warriors' tells of the rise of party General Secretary Stalin, ahead of army chief Trotsky and the disastrous policies he put into practice in an attempt to modernise the Soviet Union ahead of the rest of the world. In 1989 mass graves were uncovered near the city of Chelyabinsk. They were victims of Stalinism and of 'The Great Terror' of the 1930s. This programme takes a look back at the terror that struck fear into the hearts of millions.

In Gaza, the bodies of thousands of Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes remain trapped under the rubble. Without heavy machinery, however, rescue efforts are stalled. It's estimated that approximately 10,000 dead Palestinians remain trapped beneath debris. With limited resources, only easily accessible bodies are being retrieved.

A gripping journey through WWII's darkest hours tracing the development and use of the atomic bomb that remains the most controversial decision of WW2. This documentary explores the top-secret Manhattan Project, the scientific race against Nazi Germany, and the high-stakes final mission of the Enola Gay over Hiroshima. Discover the complete history of how the atom's power brought an end to the largest conflict in human history and ushered in the Nuclear Age.

Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia for over three decades, used strategic dalliances, military might, and cutting-edge philosophy to modernize, expand, and transform the Russian Empire. But was she a dedicated ruler determined to move Russia into the future, or a ruthless monarch who oppressed anyone who questioned her? Carolyn Harris puts this controversial figure on trial. Kari Teffeau, Cindy Lai, Rajath Durgada Manjunath, Dan Nguyen, Chin Beng Tan, Tom Boman, Karen Warner, Iryna Panasiuk, Aaron Torres, Eric Braun, Sonja Worzewski, Michael Clement, Adam Berry, Ghaith Tarawneh, Nathan Milford, Tomas Beckett, Alice Ice, Eric Berman, Kurt Paolo Sevillano, Jennifer Heald, Megulo Abebe, isolwi, Kate Sem, Ujjwal Dasu, Angel Alberici, Minh Quan Dinh, Sylvain, Terran Gimpel, Talia Sari, Katie McDowell, Allen, Mahina Knuckles, Charmaine Hanson, and Thawsitt.

The end of World War Two changed not only the borders, but also countless lives—like Luise’s. She was one of hundreds of what now referred to as 'wolf children,' who fought to survive without their parents, all alone in East Prussia and the Baltics. The mass exodus from East Prussia deeply affected children. In northern East Prussia, around Königsberg, tens of thousands of people died from disease and malnutrition. Often, the children were left behind. But without their parents, any relatives, or homes, they were had to fend for themselves. Many fled from impending starvation by crossing into neighboring Lithuania, where they begged or worked for bread and other bare necessities. For decades, their stories went unrecognized. They were too young to be considered directly complicit, but just German enough to be blamed for the crimes of the Nazi regime.

This premium documentary uses rare, never-before-seen personal film footage and diaries from ordinary Germans to reveal a unique view of life inside the Third Reich. From the early optimism of Christmas celebrations and family home movies to the devastating Allied bombing of cities like Hamburg and the grim reality of wartime shortages, these private archives chronicle the Nazi regime's descent into the abyss.

In the lead up to the Gulf War, Iraq and its leader Saddam Hussein had five months to back down and avoid an armed conflict altogether. This never happened and as you'll likely know Iraq was swiftly crushed by a US-led coalition in 1991. But given how Saddam never really stood a chance, why didn't he try to back down and avoid war? To find out watch this short and simple animated history documentary.

Edwardian farmers Alex, Peter, and Ruth head out of the tranquil Tamar Valley and onto Dartmoor for summer. Discover the traditional—and surprisingly difficult—craft of hand shearing as the team cashes in on Devon's historic wool industry ("white gold"). Plus, learn about the Edwardian adoption of silage for winter feed, and explore how the rise of tourism and the arrival of the motor car began to change the ancient moorlands forever.

In this latest Drain the Oceans mega episode, investigate the submerged secrets and ships of WWI and WWII. 

The legendary 24lb golden mask of King Tut is one of the most iconic artifacts of Ancient Egypt, but what if it wasn't made for him? In this National Geographic Full Episode of Tut's Treasures: Hidden Secrets, we dive into the debate surrounding the mask and uncover evidence, including a damaged nameplate (cartouche) and unusual craftsmanship, that has led many scholars to believe the mask was originally made for his female ancestor, Queen Nefertiti.

Many have searched for the lost tomb of Cleopatra, but could this be the key to solving the mystery? The Egyptian goddess Isis was Cleopatra's patron goddess, and that connection could prove a valuable clue in Dr. Kathleen Martinez's search for Cleopatra's tomb.

He reigned for over sixty years, leaving an indelible mark on ancient Egypt with a myriad of colossal monuments, each more imposing than the last. Discover the incredible legacy of Ramesses II, the pharaoh whose ambition and architectural genius shaped an empire. Learn how this legendary ruler became known as the greatest builder in Egyptian history, forever etching his name into the sands of time.

Witness a city's rebirth from the ashes. This 1960 film documents Coventry's incredible rebuilding just 20 years after the devastating Blitz, showcasing its new cathedral, innovative urban planning, and the unbreakable spirit of its people.

Join Michael Buerk for a deep dive into the incredible ruins of Pompeii. Buried for nearly two millennia by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, this ancient city is a remarkable time capsule. Using the latest technology, we bring its story to life, offering a vivid glimpse into the daily routines and dramatic final moments of its Roman inhabitants.

This is a story about the time when beavers were parachuted from planes.

This documentary delves into the horrific medical experiments carried out by Nazi doctors in concentration camps during World War II, focusing on the notorious Josef Mengele and the SS staff at Auschwitz, Dachau, and other camps across the Third Reich. It explores the brutal and inhumane procedures inflicted on prisoners, from genetic testing to torture under the guise of scientific research. Survivor testimonies and rare archival footage reveal the lasting trauma caused by these atrocities, highlighting the dark intersection of ideology and cruelty.

Alexander Gabyshev is a self-described modern shaman. He wants to drive what he sees as a "demon” out of the Kremlin. But Russian authorities have fought back.

The United States of America was founded on ideals of freedom and opportunity, but its history is shaped by conflict, contradiction, and struggle. From colonial ambitions and westward expansion to the Civil War and beyond, this documentary traces how the U.S. rose to global power - built through the efforts of pioneers, the exploitation of enslaved people, and the enduring pursuit of liberty. Discover a deeper story of the American dream, the symbolism of the Statue of Liberty, and the founding figures who helped shape a complex nation.

In 1939, during the opening days of the Second World War, France had the opportunity to invade Germany whilst its forces were busy in Poland. What happened wasn't a major offensive but instead a tiny, localised push into the frontier of Germany that ended before it really began. So why didn't the French commit to a grander offensive and why did they just wait and watch as Poland was conquered? To find out watch this short and simple animated history documentary.

Historian Ruth Goodman and archaeologists Alex Langlands and Peter Ginn are living as Edwardian farmers for a year. The episode centers on preparing for the arrival of a paddle steamer full of tourists for Empire Day, a huge summertime bonanza.

#AbsoluteHistory

In this urgent talk, political scientist Heni Ozi Cukier analyzes the social, economic, political and military conditions that preceded the last two world wars, revealing how historical patterns and today’s geopolitical shifts may be pointing us in a dangerously familiar direction. Connecting past and present, he challenges us to recognize the warning signs — and act before it’s too late. (Recorded at TEDxLisboa on March 15, 2025)

Some of Britain's stealthiest secret agents had feathers during World War II. With the Enigma code still unsolved, the Allies turned to pigeons—dropping more than 16,000 of them into Nazi-occupied Europe to carry back secret intel. Halley Brown dives into how these birds helped change the course of the war and beyond.

Egyptologists discover an ancient palace, while another team tracks clues across Egypt’s monuments, on a mission to unlock the hidden secrets of Ramses the pharaoh's success.