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/
In Greek myth, Cerberus guarded the entrance to Hades with three snapping heads and a deadly reputation. From Hercules wrestling him to Orpheus calming him with music, his story shows how the Greeks viewed death and the afterlife.
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
Cerberus: The terrifying three-headed dog that guarded the underworld
Explore the myth of Cerberus, the three-headed dog guarding the underworld. Discover his role in Greek mythology, including Hercules' labor and Orpheus' music.
www.historyskills.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:50 PM
In Greek myth, Cerberus guarded the entrance to Hades with three snapping heads and a deadly reputation. From Hercules wrestling him to Orpheus calming him with music, his story shows how the Greeks viewed death and the afterlife.
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
Confused by AD vs BC, or CE vs BCE? This walkthrough explains how historians organise dates, why there is no year 0, and how centuries are numbered (like why 1901 to 2000 is the 20th century). Useful for assignments and clearer historical writing. www.historyskills.com/historical-k...
How historians measure time using chronology: AD, BC, CE, BCE, and numbering centuries
The very first step in grasping History is to understand chronology. 'Chronology' in history refers to the arrangement of events in the order in which they occurred. It is the study of how time is org...
www.historyskills.com
January 27, 2026 at 7:43 PM
Confused by AD vs BC, or CE vs BCE? This walkthrough explains how historians organise dates, why there is no year 0, and how centuries are numbered (like why 1901 to 2000 is the 20th century). Useful for assignments and clearer historical writing. www.historyskills.com/historical-k...
Crucifixion was an execution method used by Persian and Roman rulers that was a public warning meant to terrify anyone thinking of rebellion. This article breaks down how crucifixion worked, why it was used, and famous cases. www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
From Jesus to Spartacus: Famous moments in history when crucifixion was used
Explore the brutal history of crucifixion, from its use in ancient Rome to famous executions like Jesus and Spartacus’ followers. Learn its purpose, method, and rare archaeological evidence.
www.historyskills.com
January 27, 2026 at 7:40 PM
Crucifixion was an execution method used by Persian and Roman rulers that was a public warning meant to terrify anyone thinking of rebellion. This article breaks down how crucifixion worked, why it was used, and famous cases. www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
World War I basic training aimed to turn civilians into soldiers in weeks or months. It taught drill and weapons handling, but it could not prepare men for trench combat, mass firepower, and the shock of industrial war. The result was a harsh awakening... www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
Why the basic training of WWI soldiers left them woefully unprepared for the horrors of battle
Explore how WWI basic training left recruits unprepared for trench warfare, with rushed instruction, outdated tactics, and limited combat experience.
www.historyskills.com
January 26, 2026 at 7:51 PM
World War I basic training aimed to turn civilians into soldiers in weeks or months. It taught drill and weapons handling, but it could not prepare men for trench combat, mass firepower, and the shock of industrial war. The result was a harsh awakening... www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
Convict ships to Australia were floating prisons. Prisoners endured months at sea with overcrowding, illness and scarce food. Some voyages saw appalling death tolls before reform began. Learn what the journey was really like.
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
Voyages of despair: The harsh reality of life aboard 18th century convict ships to Australia
During the final decades of the 18th century, the British penal system struggled increasingly to contain its growing convict population, with prisons overcrowded and crime rates increasing in urban ce...
www.historyskills.com
January 25, 2026 at 8:05 PM
Convict ships to Australia were floating prisons. Prisoners endured months at sea with overcrowding, illness and scarce food. Some voyages saw appalling death tolls before reform began. Learn what the journey was really like.
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
Your first year of teaching is intense, tiring, and full of self doubt. This article offers practical advice on managing behaviour, leaning on colleagues, and giving yourself permission to rest. A helpful read for new teachers finding their feet.
www.historyskills.com/2019/01/22/t...
www.historyskills.com/2019/01/22/t...
The Best Advice I Received as a New Teacher
Let's be honest: being a teacher is one of the best jobs in the world. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most stressful and exhausting jobs. I am about to begin my ninth year as an educator and, de...
www.historyskills.com
January 23, 2026 at 8:23 PM
Your first year of teaching is intense, tiring, and full of self doubt. This article offers practical advice on managing behaviour, leaning on colleagues, and giving yourself permission to rest. A helpful read for new teachers finding their feet.
www.historyskills.com/2019/01/22/t...
www.historyskills.com/2019/01/22/t...
The first Thanksgiving was not a simple tale of friendship. In 1621, a shared meal in Plymouth served practical goals for English settlers facing hunger and for the Wampanoag seeking security after disease and loss.
www.historyskills.com/classroom/mo...
www.historyskills.com/classroom/mo...
What really happened at the very first Thanksgiving?
Each November, many American families remember an event that they believe began with a shared meal between Pilgrims and Native people in 1621. According to popular tradition, it was a feast of gratitu...
www.historyskills.com
January 23, 2026 at 8:20 PM
The first Thanksgiving was not a simple tale of friendship. In 1621, a shared meal in Plymouth served practical goals for English settlers facing hunger and for the Wampanoag seeking security after disease and loss.
www.historyskills.com/classroom/mo...
www.historyskills.com/classroom/mo...
Need resources for Year 7 Ancient China? Access lessons, quizzes and worksheets covering Confucius, Shi Huangdi and more. www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
Year 7 Ancient China Lessons and Resources
Engage Year 7 students with Ancient China history lessons, worksheets, and quizzes. Explore topics like society, Confucius, and the Han Dynasty with high-quality teaching resources.
www.historyskills.com
January 22, 2026 at 8:03 PM
Need resources for Year 7 Ancient China? Access lessons, quizzes and worksheets covering Confucius, Shi Huangdi and more. www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
Primary vs secondary sources: which can you trust more? The answer isn't so simple. Learn how to assess both types carefully to improve your research. www.historyskills.com/2023/05/02/p...
Primary or secondary sources: which are more reliable?
Are primary or secondary sources more reliable? Learn the strengths and limitations of each, how to evaluate them, and the best approach for historical research.
www.historyskills.com
January 22, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Primary vs secondary sources: which can you trust more? The answer isn't so simple. Learn how to assess both types carefully to improve your research. www.historyskills.com/2023/05/02/p...
The Aztec Sun Stone's symbols tracked sacred days, solar seasons, and past worlds destroyed by gods, all tied to ritual duty and cosmic order. Learn how Aztec priests read the sky and stone, and why the calendar was never about a final apocalypse.
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
The secret messages hidden in the Aztec Calendar
One of the most noteworthy accomplishments of Mesoamerican civilisation was the Aztec Calendar. Its carved designs with concentric rings and various symbolic images created a layered system of timekee...
www.historyskills.com
January 21, 2026 at 10:24 PM
The Aztec Sun Stone's symbols tracked sacred days, solar seasons, and past worlds destroyed by gods, all tied to ritual duty and cosmic order. Learn how Aztec priests read the sky and stone, and why the calendar was never about a final apocalypse.
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
www.historyskills.com/classroom/ye...
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...