Pupil outcome: I can use my research to plan and write the conclusion of a biography about Harriet Tubman. Key learning points: - A conclusion summarises the key points of the paragraphs preceding it - no new information should be...

Pupil outcome: I can research and gather information about Harriet Tubman’s life in preparation for writing a biography about her. Key learning points: - When preparing to write a biography, it is important to thoroughly research the...

Pupil outcome: I can write in a clear and concise manner about the role of kingship in 'Macbeth'. Key learning points: - King Duncan is based on a historical figure, although Shakespeare made his Duncan a more sympathetic figure. -...

Scott Ellsworth is a writer and historian based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he also teaches at the University of Michigan. His new book, Midnight on the Potomac: The Last Year of the Civil War, the Lincoln Assassination, and the...

A tariff is a tax that a country places on another country's imports. In the U.S., what that means is that when we place an import tariff, it's not another country paying the US government. It is a domestic firm, a domestic importer...

Memorial Day is a special time to remember the brave men and women who gave their lives serving in the military. This holiday began after the Civil War and has grown into a day of parades, flags, and moments of quiet respect. We’ll learn...

In this episode, we’ll explore the Russian Revolution—a time when people in Russia rose up to change their country. You’ll learn why many were unhappy with the king, or czar, and how workers and soldiers demanded a new way of life. We’ll...

What happened after the Civil War ended? In this video, we take a simple look at the Reconstruction Era, the time when the United States tried to rebuild the South and reunite the country. Learn about the major changes, including the...

The Battle of Gettysburg was one of the most important battles in the American Civil War. In this episode, we’ll explore how Union and Confederate soldiers met in Pennsylvania for three days of fierce fighting. We’ll learn why the battle...

In this video, you’ll learn about Ulysses S. Grant, a brave leader during the Civil War and the 18th president of the United States. He was the general who led the Union Army to victory against the Confederacy. Grant was calm, strong,...

Annette Gordon-Reed, the Carl M. Loeb University Professor at Harvard, is a historian and author of On Juneteenth, a blend of memoir and history. In the book, she explores her family's deep roots in Texas, dating back to the 1820s and...

Presidents' Day originated as a celebration of George Washington’s birthday, officially becoming a federal holiday in 1885. Over time, the holiday evolved to recognize Abraham Lincoln and other U.S. presidents, with the 1971 Uniform...

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president, led the nation through its most divided era, the Civil War, and took a firm stand against slavery. His issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation and leadership in preserving the Union solidified his...

President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address redefined the Civil War, emphasizing democracy and equality, and remains a cornerstone of American ideals.

Grant, Lee, and Jackson are names synonymous with the American Civil war, but how did their strategies and decisions influence the outcome of America's bloodiest conflict?

During the American Civil War, women defied gender norms by managing homesteads, serving as nurses, and even spying, significantly impacting the war's course.

The controversial XYZ Affair escalated tensions between the U.S. and France in the 1700s, leading to naval confrontations at sea and a crisis of democracy in the United States.

Every year on Memorial Day the country honors those who died while serving in the military. In this video, learn about how Memorial Day became a federal holiday.

The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 allowed territories to decide on slavery through popular sovereignty, escalating tensions that led to the Civil War.

At a time when women in the United States did not have the right to vote, Susan B. Anthony played a pivotal role in the women's suffrage movement.

Dred Scott's fight for freedom led to a Supreme Court decision that denied citizenship to Black Americans, fuelling tensions that contributed to the Civil War.

On April 12, 1861, Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter, South Carolina, marking the explosive start of the Civil War. The conflict led to short-lived progress and long-term struggles for true racial equality.

In the United States, the Liberty Bell is a symbol of freedom. In this video, learn about the history of the bell, and why it is still important today.

Every year on June 19th, the United States celebrates the end of slavery. In this video, learn about the history and meaning of Juneteenth.