History SkillsStoryboardHow the US turned the tide of WWII at Coral Sea, Midway, and GuadalcanalCurated byHistory SkillsUnlike the European theatre of World War Two, which is famous for its great land battles, the war in the Pacific was incredibly challenging for both sides, as it was predominantly fought on the sea. The United States and Japan had to develop new strategies for seeking out and defeating each other across the vast expanses of the Pacific Ocean. Following the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Japan enjoyed almost six months of unchallenged dominance in the region...
History SkillsStoryboardThe repulsive and bizarre medical practices of the ancient RomansCurated byHistory SkillsThe ancient Romans are famous for their significant contributions to the fields of governance, engineering, art, and warfare. However, we should be grateful that we have not retained their understanding of medicine. While some Roman medical practices seem similar to those in our modern healthcare systems, others remain a subject of both fascination and bewilderment...
History SkillsStoryboardHow the battles of Plataea and Mycale saved ancient GreeceCurated byHistory SkillsThe battles of Plataea and Mycale were pivotal moments in ancient Greek history. In 479 BC, these two battles turned the tide against the Persian Empire's invasion. At the time, the Persian Empire stretched from modern-day Turkey to India, threatening the very existence of Greek civilization. Following earlier conflicts, such as the battles of Thermopylae and Salamis, the Greeks united against a common enemy...
History SkillsStoryboardThe Tudors: The complete historyCurated byHistory SkillsThe Tudor Dynasty of English kings and queens was one of the most dramatic of all families to sit on the throne. The lies, deceit, murders, and love triangles continue to shock modern audiences. But fact is always more captivating than fiction. Here is really what happened...
History SkillsStoryboardHer war too: The crucial role of women in World War OneCurated byHistory SkillsAt the dawn of the 20th century, the world was on the brink of unprecedented upheaval. As tensions mounted and nations mobilized, a war of a scale previously unknown to humanity was on the horizon. When World War One broke out in 1914, it was a conflict that required total mobilization of society. However, while the histories often revolve around the actions of generals and soldiers, there is an equally critical narrative that is often overlooked - the pivotal role women played in the war...
History SkillsStoryboardTiberius and Gaius Gracchus revolutionised Roman politics and were killed for itCurated byHistory SkillsTiberius and Gaius Gracchus were two brothers who changed the course of Roman history. Their lives were cut short by violence, but their legacy had a profound impact on late Roman republican politics. Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus both held the position of Tribune of the Plebs during the second century BC and had attempted to bring land reform, as well as other populist measures, into ancient Rome...
History SkillsStoryboardWhat did the ancient Aztecs eat and drink?Curated byHistory SkillsImagining a civilization without considering its food can only provide a partial picture. Food not only sustains life but also reflects cultural practices, social structures, and the intimate relationship between human societies and their natural environment. This axiom holds true for the Aztec civilization, a vibrant culture that flourished in Mesoamerica from the 14th to the 16th century...
History SkillsStoryboardArthur Phillip's role in founding SydneyCurated byHistory SkillsIn 1788, the British sent a fleet of ships to establish a penal colony in Sydney, Australia. The man chosen to lead this expedition was Arthur Phillip, who made a number of decisions that would have a lasting impact on the Indigenous People of Australia...
History SkillsStoryboardThe most famous Egyptologists in historyCurated byHistory SkillsIf you love ancient history, then you have probably heard of Egyptologists like Howard Carter and Jean-Francois Champollion. However, these were not the only people who helped unearth the many treasures of Ancient Egypt. During the early 19th century, a fascination with this civilization grew in Europe, which inspired a wave of exploration and discovery. The groundbreaking work of a number of key individuals has transformed our understanding of ancient Egyptian history and culture...
History SkillsStoryboardCommodore Perry and the end of Japan's isolationCurated byHistory SkillsIn 1853, the arrival of Commodore Perry and his Black Ships from the United States of America changed the course of history for Japan. This event marked the beginning of the end for the Tokugawa shogunate, which had ruled Japan for over 250 years. The shogunate was abolished in 1868 when imperialist rebels defeated its forces and restored power to the emperor...
History SkillsStoryboardWhat did ancient Romans eat and drink?Curated byHistory SkillsAs ancient Rome expanded its sprawling empire, it slowly developed a sophisticated culture. Today, the Romans are known for their lavish feasts and exotic dishes. However, this was not the reality for most people. In fact, the disparity between the meals of the wealthy and those of the common people was incredibly stark. While the rich indulged in sumptuous banquets, the poor subsisted on a very basic fare. Here is what you need to know...
History SkillsStoryboardWhat caused of the collapse of the Soviet Union?Curated byHistory SkillsThe collapse of the Soviet Union was one of the most dramatic and important events of the late 20th century. It had been a global superpower and had engaged in a tense rivalry with the United States known as the Cold War. However, in the 1980s, economic struggles, political reforms, and social unrest began to unravel the Soviet system. During this period, a number of key figures and pivotal events accelerated the decline. Finally, in 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed entirely...
History SkillsStoryboardWhat made pharaoh Ramses II 'the Great'?Curated byHistory SkillsAmong all of the pharaohs who ruled over ancient Egypt in its 3000-year history, none were more powerful and success as Ramses II. He reigned for an unparalleled 66 years. Ramses' time on the throne would see the unparalleled flourishing of Egyptian culture and transformed the land into a formidable empire through remarkable military campaigns against the Hittites, Libyans, and Nubians...
History SkillsStoryboardWhat was the Hundred Years' War?Curated byHistory SkillsThe Hundred Years' War, a conflict that spanned over a century, forever altered the course of European history. It was a series of conflicts waged from 1337 to 1453. It was not a continuous war but rather a succession of battles, sieges, and diplomatic maneuvers between England and France. But what were the root causes that ignited this long-lasting feud? And, how did key battles like Agincourt and Poitiers shape the tactics and technologies of war?
History SkillsStoryboardKristallnacht: The terrifying prelude to the HolocaustCurated byHistory SkillsIn 1938, a series of coordinated attacks against Jews throughout Nazi Germany became known as Kristallnacht, or "The Night of Broken Glass". The night of November 9th and 10th saw violence and destruction on a scale not seen since the Nazis had come to power. More than two hundred synagogues were burned, over seven thousand Jewish businesses were vandalised, and Jewish homes were ransacked...
History SkillsStoryboardWhat was slavery like in ancient Rome?Curated byHistory SkillsSlavery was a pervasive and intrinsic part of ancient Rome's social and economic structure, with an estimated one-third of the empire's population being enslaved at its peak. From household servants to laborers, gladiators to skilled artisans, slaves played an essential role in the daily life of the ancient Romans. Despite the brutal conditions of their servitude, some slaves managed to achieve freedom and even rise to positions of power and influence...
History SkillsStoryboardHow did the Greeks win the Battle of Salamis?Curated byHistory SkillsIn September, 480 BC, a climactic battle took place in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of the city of Athens. A fleet of ships made up of a coalition of Greek city-states faced the numerically superior mighty of the Persian Empire. The Persians, led by King Xerxes I, had been fighting to conquer Greece. However, he was about to be lured into a brilliant trap in the narrow straits of Salamis...
History SkillsStoryboardWas Magellan really the first person to circumnavigate the world?Curated byHistory SkillsFerdinand Magellan's name is synonymous with adventure, bravery, and the relentless pursuit of the unknown. Born into a world where the edges of the map were still being drawn, Magellan dared to envision a path that would connect the continents, forever altering our understanding of the globe. He is often credited with being the first European to travel around the world. But how true is this claim?
History SkillsStoryboardAustralia in WWICurated byHistory SkillsThe First World War was a transformational experience for the young nation of Australia...
History SkillsStoryboardHow the Punic Wars made Rome a superpowerCurated byHistory SkillsAncient Rome began as a single city in Italy, called Rome. During the 5th, 4th and 3rd centuries BC, the armies of Rome gradually expanded and conquered most of Italy. At this point, the Romans made contact with another powerful city that had also been growing in power but was located on the other side of the Mediterranean Sea, known as Carthage...
History SkillsStoryboardWhat was life like for women and girls in the Aztec Empire?Curated byHistory SkillsBeneath the towering pyramids and bustling markets of the Aztec Empire, the Aztec women's roles and experiences were an intricate, yet crucial aspect of the empire's rich heritage. Far from being passive bystanders, these women were the beating heart of their communities - educators, traders, artists, mothers, and sometimes warriors, weaving together the social, economic, and religious threads of their society...
History SkillsStoryboardWhat is the Aboriginal Tent Embassy?Curated byHistory SkillsOn the morning of Australia Day in 1972, four Indigenous Australian men set up a tent on the lawn of Parliament House in Canberra. This simple act would spark one of the most significant movements in Australian history - The Aboriginal Tent Embassy. For over 45 years, the embassy has served as a symbol of protest and resilience for First Nations Australians, fighting for their rights and recognition...
History SkillsStoryboardWho were the Assyriologists and what did they find?Curated byHistory SkillsIn the mid-19th century, three remarkable scholars uncovered the secrets of ancient Mesopotamia: Austen Henry Layard, Paul Emile Botta, and George Smith. Their groundbreaking discoveries, which were achieved through their meticulous field work, revealed a world long buried beneath the sands of time. With each excavation, they unearthed ancient artifacts, mysterious inscriptions, and monumental structures, all of which laid the foundations of Assyriology...
History SkillsStoryboardThe First Sino-Japanese WarCurated byHistory SkillsThe Sino-Japanese War was fought between the Empire of Japan and Qing dynasty China from 1894 to 1895. It was a conflict over control of Korea and Manchuria and resulted in a decisive victory for Japan...
History SkillsStoryboardThe harsh realities women faced in the Middle AgesCurated byHistory SkillsDuring the Middle Ages, which lasted for roughly 1000 years, from about 5th to the 15th century, a rigid structure was imposed on the lives of most women. As a result, they experienced many challenges. Yet, in the face of these daily struggles, women played crucial roles in maintaining households, contributing to economies, and even influencing wider cultural developments...
History SkillsStoryboardHow archaeologists dig deep to unearth our human storyCurated byHistory SkillsBuried beneath the surface of the ground in our bustling modern world lie ancient secrets waiting to be unveiled. Every artefact that is unearthed hold rare information about past civilizations past, the personal struggles of the people who lived in them, and rare glimpses into their daily lives. However, in order to find these rare and fragile items, they have to be carefully removed through the process of an archaeological excavation...
History SkillsStoryboardRusso-Japanese War: When Asia defeated EuropeCurated byHistory SkillsThe Russo-Japanese War was a conflict that took place from 1904 to 1905. It was fought between the Russian Empire and the Empire of Japan over control of Korea and Manchuria. The war resulted in a Japanese victory, and it is seen as a landmark in modern military history...
History SkillsStoryboardThe amazing life and gruesome death of Captain CookCurated byHistory SkillsCaptain James Cook embarked on a series of voyages that would forever change the course of history. Born into humble beginnings in 18th-century England, Cook rose through the ranks of the Royal Navy to lead three groundbreaking expeditions across the uncharted waters of the Pacific Ocean. His journeys not only expanded the boundaries of the known world but also contributed significantly to the fields of cartography and natural science...
History SkillsStoryboardWhy the Vietnam War was an American disasterCurated byHistory SkillsThe most famous and deadly conflicts from the Cold War took place in the south-east Asian country of Vietnam. From the mid-1950s until 1975, Vietnam experienced a protracted conflict between the communist forces in the North and the non-communist South, which were supported by the United States. This war would end in a catastrophic failure for America, which significantly impacted its reputation, both internationally and among its own citizens. Here is how it happened...
History SkillsStoryboardHow the Spanish destroyed the Inca EmpireCurated byHistory SkillsBy the early 16th century, the powerful Inca Empire stretched along the Andes Mountains, covering present-day Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and parts of Chile, Argentina, and Colombia. However, in the 1530s, this mighty empire faced a formidable challenge from a small group of Spanish conquistadors led by Francisco Pizarro...
