History Skills
@historyskills.bsky.social
High school history teacher who loves learning about the past. Created a free educational website to help others as well.
https://www.historyskills.com/
https://www.historyskills.com/
You know the speeches, but how well do you know the man?
Martin Luther King Jr. was born Michael, entered college at 15, survived a stabbing, loved Star Trek, won a Grammy, and improvised the “I Have a Dream” passage.
Discover 6 things you probably didn’t know:
www.historyskills.com/classroom/mo...
Martin Luther King Jr. was born Michael, entered college at 15, survived a stabbing, loved Star Trek, won a Grammy, and improvised the “I Have a Dream” passage.
Discover 6 things you probably didn’t know:
www.historyskills.com/classroom/mo...
6 things you didn't know about Martin Luther King
Martin Luther King Jr. became one of the most recognised figures in twentieth-century American history through his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement. He delivered famous speeches, led nonviolent...
www.historyskills.com
January 19, 2026 at 7:27 PM
You know the speeches, but how well do you know the man?
Martin Luther King Jr. was born Michael, entered college at 15, survived a stabbing, loved Star Trek, won a Grammy, and improvised the “I Have a Dream” passage.
Discover 6 things you probably didn’t know:
www.historyskills.com/classroom/mo...
Martin Luther King Jr. was born Michael, entered college at 15, survived a stabbing, loved Star Trek, won a Grammy, and improvised the “I Have a Dream” passage.
Discover 6 things you probably didn’t know:
www.historyskills.com/classroom/mo...
Who was a source written for? Identifying the intended audience helps historians judge purpose and reliability. By looking at the source type and historical context, you can make a well-supported judgement about who it was meant to reach.
www.historyskills.com/source-criti...
www.historyskills.com/source-criti...
January 17, 2026 at 7:38 PM
Who was a source written for? Identifying the intended audience helps historians judge purpose and reliability. By looking at the source type and historical context, you can make a well-supported judgement about who it was meant to reach.
www.historyskills.com/source-criti...
www.historyskills.com/source-criti...
Why did America reject the League of Nations? Senate opposition, worries over declaring war, political conflict in Washington, and growing isolationism all played a part after World War I.
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
Why didn't America join the League of Nations?
After they had endured four years of mechanised slaughter and diplomatic failure, the victors of the First World War looked to create a system that they hoped could at least prevent any similar disast...
www.historyskills.com
January 17, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Why did America reject the League of Nations? Senate opposition, worries over declaring war, political conflict in Washington, and growing isolationism all played a part after World War I.
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
During the Second Messenian War, Sparta turned to poetry as much as the spear. Tyrtaeus wrote battle songs that soldiers sang on the march, teaching courage, loyalty, and acceptance of sacrifice. His words helped steady an army under pressure.
www.historyskills.com/classroom/an...
www.historyskills.com/classroom/an...
Tyrtaeus: The ancient poet who led Sparta’s army to greatness
Discover Tyrtaeus, the poet who inspired Sparta’s warriors. Learn how his battle songs forged Spartan courage, loyalty, and a legacy of military excellence.
www.historyskills.com
January 16, 2026 at 7:26 PM
During the Second Messenian War, Sparta turned to poetry as much as the spear. Tyrtaeus wrote battle songs that soldiers sang on the march, teaching courage, loyalty, and acceptance of sacrifice. His words helped steady an army under pressure.
www.historyskills.com/classroom/an...
www.historyskills.com/classroom/an...
Looking for free history lessons you can download and use straight away? History Skills lets students choose how they learn, with videos, sources, research tasks or articles, plus worksheets and quizzes. Lessons are available from Year 7 to senior history courses.
www.historyskills.com/classroom/
www.historyskills.com/classroom/
Downloadable high school history lessons
Explore hundreds of downloadable history lessons for all school years. Engage with documentaries, articles, and activities to deepen your historical knowledge.
www.historyskills.com
January 15, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Looking for free history lessons you can download and use straight away? History Skills lets students choose how they learn, with videos, sources, research tasks or articles, plus worksheets and quizzes. Lessons are available from Year 7 to senior history courses.
www.historyskills.com/classroom/
www.historyskills.com/classroom/
The sack of Rome in AD 410 followed years of broken trust between Rome and the Visigoths. Alaric’s army entered through the Salarian Gate after a long siege, looting elite homes and symbols of power.
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
What really happened during the sack of Rome in AD 410?
By the early fifth century, cracks had spread across the bases of Roman power. Local troop posts disbanded, tax systems fell apart under strain, and barbarian soldiers acquired influence over imperial...
www.historyskills.com
January 15, 2026 at 7:10 PM
The sack of Rome in AD 410 followed years of broken trust between Rome and the Visigoths. Alaric’s army entered through the Salarian Gate after a long siege, looting elite homes and symbols of power.
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
“The past” is everything that happened before now, including what no longer survives. “History” is our reconstruction of the past from the evidence that remains, written as narratives and revised when better evidence or arguments appear.
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
January 14, 2026 at 10:55 PM
“The past” is everything that happened before now, including what no longer survives. “History” is our reconstruction of the past from the evidence that remains, written as narratives and revised when better evidence or arguments appear.
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
Germany’s “blank cheque” in July 1914 was an open promise to support Austria-Hungary against Serbia, even if war spread. With no limits attached, it encouraged a harsh ultimatum and rapid escalation toward World War I.
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
What was Germany’s 'blank cheque' before WWI?
On 5 July 1914, German officials offered Austria-Hungary what was effectively support without conditions in whatever action it chose to take against Serbia, and this decision was made just days after ...
www.historyskills.com
January 14, 2026 at 10:50 PM
Germany’s “blank cheque” in July 1914 was an open promise to support Austria-Hungary against Serbia, even if war spread. With no limits attached, it encouraged a harsh ultimatum and rapid escalation toward World War I.
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
Interpretation is reading a historical text for the author’s message, including what is implied. A solid method: reread, identify the main point, pick a few key phrases, paraphrase, then check you did not add your own view. www.historyskills.com/source-criti...
How to interpret written historical sources
Interpreting a source requires you to demonstrate that you understand the overall message of a source. Interpretation when reading historical sources refers to the process of understanding and making ...
www.historyskills.com
January 13, 2026 at 7:20 PM
Interpretation is reading a historical text for the author’s message, including what is implied. A solid method: reread, identify the main point, pick a few key phrases, paraphrase, then check you did not add your own view. www.historyskills.com/source-criti...
Roman aqueducts moved water for tens of kilometres using gravity, precise surveying, and hydraulic concrete. Arches, tunnels, and siphons kept the flow steady, while regular maintenance kept channels clear... www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
The amazing aqueducts of Rome: The engineering secrets behind the empire's water supply
Discover the engineering marvels behind Rome’s aqueducts, which supplied water across the empire. Learn about their construction, lasting impact, and the technology that made them possible.
www.historyskills.com
January 13, 2026 at 7:17 PM
Roman aqueducts moved water for tens of kilometres using gravity, precise surveying, and hydraulic concrete. Arches, tunnels, and siphons kept the flow steady, while regular maintenance kept channels clear... www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
The Estates General brought France’s three social groups together—but by 1789, it collapsed under inequality. Here's how this broken system helped ignite the French Revolution: www.historyskills.com/classroom/mo...
What were the Estates General?
The Estates General, a gathering of France’s three social classes, met in 1789 to address a financial crisis—but instead, it sparked the French Revolution.
www.historyskills.com
January 11, 2026 at 7:56 PM
The Estates General brought France’s three social groups together—but by 1789, it collapsed under inequality. Here's how this broken system helped ignite the French Revolution: www.historyskills.com/classroom/mo...
Looking for reliable Year 7 Ancient Egypt resources? This collection includes lesson plans, worksheets and quizzes on society, religion, pyramids and hieroglyphs to support clear and engaging history lessons.
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
Year 7 Ancient Egypt Lessons and Resources
Explore our collection of Year 7 Ancient Egypt lessons, worksheets, quizzes, and more. Resources on topics like society, religion, pyramids, Tutankhamen, and hieroglyphs.
www.historyskills.com
January 10, 2026 at 8:03 PM
Looking for reliable Year 7 Ancient Egypt resources? This collection includes lesson plans, worksheets and quizzes on society, religion, pyramids and hieroglyphs to support clear and engaging history lessons.
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
Why do famous historical sites matter? Visiting places like the Acropolis or Angkor Wat lets us connect directly with the people, events and ideas that came before us. Here are 11 you should know about.
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
11 important historical sites you must visit
Explore 11 must-visit historical sites around the world, from the Pyramids of Giza to the Alhambra. Discover the incredible stories and cultural significance behind each landmark.
www.historyskills.com
January 10, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Why do famous historical sites matter? Visiting places like the Acropolis or Angkor Wat lets us connect directly with the people, events and ideas that came before us. Here are 11 you should know about.
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
When war began in 1939, Britain evacuated its children on a scale never seen before. Operation Pied Piper sent millions from cities to rural areas, often for years, leaving lasting memories of fear, kindness, and separation.
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
Operation Pied Piper: the mass evacuation of Britain's children during WWII
By late August 1939, British military planners had already warned that the Luftwaffe posed a serious threat to civilian areas shortly after any declaration of war. Since the Cabinet had drawn on evide...
www.historyskills.com
January 9, 2026 at 7:22 PM
When war began in 1939, Britain evacuated its children on a scale never seen before. Operation Pied Piper sent millions from cities to rural areas, often for years, leaving lasting memories of fear, kindness, and separation.
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
Long before the Aztecs, Teotihuacan was one of the world’s largest cities. Its pyramids, murals, and unexplained collapse still challenge archaeologists today. Though, recent finds show how much remains hidden beneath the ground.
pixabay.com/photos/teoti...
pixabay.com/photos/teoti...
Teotihuacan Aztec Pyramids - Free photo on Pixabay
Download this free photo of Teotihuacan Aztec Pyramids from Pixabay's vast library of royalty-free stock images, videos and music.
pixabay.com
January 8, 2026 at 8:33 PM
Long before the Aztecs, Teotihuacan was one of the world’s largest cities. Its pyramids, murals, and unexplained collapse still challenge archaeologists today. Though, recent finds show how much remains hidden beneath the ground.
pixabay.com/photos/teoti...
pixabay.com/photos/teoti...
Need history posters that get students talking? The History Teacher Wisdom series uses humour to prompt discussion and bring classroom walls to life.
www.historyskills.com/favourites/q...
www.historyskills.com/favourites/q...
Posters
Discover engaging history-themed posters for your classroom with the 'History Teacher Wisdom' series. Download 28 thought-provoking posters to spark discussions in your lessons.
www.historyskills.com
January 7, 2026 at 6:29 PM
Need history posters that get students talking? The History Teacher Wisdom series uses humour to prompt discussion and bring classroom walls to life.
www.historyskills.com/favourites/q...
www.historyskills.com/favourites/q...
Why did ancient Egypt become the top power of its age? A dependable Nile, tight control under the pharaohs, thriving trade and a well run army helped Egypt grow and defend its territory for centuries before decline set in.
www.historyskills.com/classroom/an...
www.historyskills.com/classroom/an...
How Egypt became the greatest superpower of the ancient world
Discover how Egypt rose to power with its strategic location, advanced political systems, thriving economy, and military dominance. Explore the factors behind its decline and fall.
www.historyskills.com
January 7, 2026 at 6:25 PM
Why did ancient Egypt become the top power of its age? A dependable Nile, tight control under the pharaohs, thriving trade and a well run army helped Egypt grow and defend its territory for centuries before decline set in.
www.historyskills.com/classroom/an...
www.historyskills.com/classroom/an...
In ancient China, rulers kept power only while heaven approved. Disasters and corruption? Signs to rebel. The Mandate of Heaven explained dynasties rising and falling: www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
What was the Mandate of Heaven?
The Mandate of Heaven shaped Chinese history for centuries. Learn how rulers claimed divine authority, lost power through unrest, and how Confucianism reinforced this enduring political concept.
www.historyskills.com
January 6, 2026 at 7:13 PM
In ancient China, rulers kept power only while heaven approved. Disasters and corruption? Signs to rebel. The Mandate of Heaven explained dynasties rising and falling: www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
History is more than dates and stories. It is the investigation of past human events, an idea traced back to Herodotus. Learning history means working with sources and evidence to understand how societies change over time.
www.historyskills.com/home/studyin...
www.historyskills.com/home/studyin...
What is History? How we learn about the past.
The word 'history' comes from the ancient Greek word historia, which means 'inquiry' or 'investigation'. This was a concept that was first introduced by the historian Herodotus in the 5th century BC, ...
www.historyskills.com
January 5, 2026 at 6:51 PM
History is more than dates and stories. It is the investigation of past human events, an idea traced back to Herodotus. Learning history means working with sources and evidence to understand how societies change over time.
www.historyskills.com/home/studyin...
www.historyskills.com/home/studyin...
From legend to law, the Tarpeian Rock stood as Rome’s harshest answer to treason. Thrown from the Capitoline Hill, the condemned became a lesson for all watching below in the Forum.
www.historyskills.com/classroom/an...
www.historyskills.com/classroom/an...
How the Tarpeian Rock became the gruesome site of Ancient Rome's most brutal of punishments
Above the Roman Forum’s busy gathering places and sacred monuments, a jagged cliff on the Capitoline Hill cast a long shadow, both literal and symbolic. The Tarpeian Rock was estimated at around 20 me...
www.historyskills.com
January 5, 2026 at 6:49 PM
From legend to law, the Tarpeian Rock stood as Rome’s harshest answer to treason. Thrown from the Capitoline Hill, the condemned became a lesson for all watching below in the Forum.
www.historyskills.com/classroom/an...
www.historyskills.com/classroom/an...
Teaching Year 7 Archaeology? Find lesson plans, worksheets, quizzes, and extension tasks covering time, sources, dating objects, and famous case studies like Stonehenge. Built for classroom use. www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
Year 7 Archaeology Unit Lessons and Resources
Explore Year 7 Archaeology Unit lessons and resources with downloadable worksheets, self-marking quizzes, and extension activities. Perfect for engaging students in history, archaeology, and early hum...
www.historyskills.com
January 4, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Teaching Year 7 Archaeology? Find lesson plans, worksheets, quizzes, and extension tasks covering time, sources, dating objects, and famous case studies like Stonehenge. Built for classroom use. www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
Did Atlantis truly exist, or was it a story meant to teach a warning? From Plato’s accounts to modern archaeology, this article explains the evidence, the doubts, and why the mystery still captures attention today. www.historyskills.com/classroom/an...
Was Atlantis real? Everything we currently know about this mysterious ancient city
Discover the mystery of Atlantis, from its origins in Plato's writings to the search for its real location. Explore theories, historical evidence, and the city's sudden destruction.
www.historyskills.com
January 4, 2026 at 7:38 PM
Did Atlantis truly exist, or was it a story meant to teach a warning? From Plato’s accounts to modern archaeology, this article explains the evidence, the doubts, and why the mystery still captures attention today. www.historyskills.com/classroom/an...
Discover how the Western Roman Empire ended and how history moved from ancient to early modern times. Pick the learning style that works for you and take a self-marking quiz at the end. wwwhistoryskills.com/classroom/ye...
January 3, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Discover how the Western Roman Empire ended and how history moved from ancient to early modern times. Pick the learning style that works for you and take a self-marking quiz at the end. wwwhistoryskills.com/classroom/ye...
World War I spread so fast because Europe was locked into rigid alliance commitments. Once violence began in the Balkans, mobilisation plans and treaty promises left leaders with little room to pause or negotiate.
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
The crazy alliance system of WWI: How it triggered the global conflict
By the early 20th century, European powers had divided themselves into fixed military groups that largely guaranteed mutual support in the event of war, yet often gave little freedom to act differentl...
www.historyskills.com
January 2, 2026 at 7:45 PM
World War I spread so fast because Europe was locked into rigid alliance commitments. Once violence began in the Balkans, mobilisation plans and treaty promises left leaders with little room to pause or negotiate.
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
Early Rome faced a crisis that threatened its survival: a city of men with no way to form families. Ancient writers said Romulus answered this problem by luring the Sabines to a festival and seizing their daughters...
www.historyskills.com/classroom/an...
www.historyskills.com/classroom/an...
January 1, 2026 at 7:27 PM
Early Rome faced a crisis that threatened its survival: a city of men with no way to form families. Ancient writers said Romulus answered this problem by luring the Sabines to a festival and seizing their daughters...
www.historyskills.com/classroom/an...
www.historyskills.com/classroom/an...