27th September 1960 (50 years ago today) Sylvia Pankhurst died

Sylvia Pankhurst, the daughter of Dr. Richard Pankhurst and Emmeline Pankhurst, was at Drayton Terrace, Old Trafford, Manchester on 5th May, 1882. Her father was a committed socialist and a strong advocate of women’s suffrage. He had been responsible for drafting an amendment to the Municipal Franchise Act of 1869 that had resulted in unmarried…

Modern China: Mao Tse-tung

Mao's most important departure from mainstream communist thought was his belief in the peasantry and a peasant uprising.

26th September 1960 (50 years ago today) Richard M. Nixon and John F. Kennedy, participate in the first televised presidential debate.

Presidential Debate 1960On 26 September 1960, 70 million U.S. viewers tuned in to watch Senator John Kennedy of Massachusetts and Vice President Richard Nixon in the first-ever televised presidential debate. It was the first of four televised “Great Debates” between Kennedy and Nixon. The first debate centered on domestic issues. The high point of the…

The Conspirator: Abraham Lincoln’s 9/11

The most troubling and satisfying aspect of The Conspirator, director Robert Redford's account of the Surratt case, is the comparison it draws between the actions taken by the Andrew Johnson administration immediately after the event of Apr. 14, 1965 — the first assassination of a U.S. President — and the Bush Administration's actions in the months and years after the events of Sept. 11, 2001…

Art Historians May Have Uncovered Origin of Blue Jeans

Art historians may have finally solved a centuries-old puzzle over the origin of a fashion favorite: blue jeans.
The discovery lies in the artwork of an unknown 17-century north Italian artist, dubbed the "Master of the Blue Jeans," which went on display in Paris this week, the AFP reported.

Causes of World War Simulation

I’ve now added a HighScore board to the simulation – in other words an instant markbook for teachers to access at the end of the session. Any scores submitted within a one-hour period are displayed and can be copied into a markbook. Click the “Leaderboard” option to see how it works. Share this:

Historical Anniversaries for October 2010

• The following list provides important anniversaries that could be commemorated in 2010. • It can be used by teachers preparing assemblies, extension tasks and one-off lessons. • I am limiting the list to multiples of 50 years (1960 (50 years ago today), 1910 (100 years ago today), 1860 (150 years ago today) etc). •…

Obama wrongly attributes quotes on his new Oval Office rug to Martin Luther King and Abraham Lincoln

It took Barack Obama 18 months to put his own stamp on The Oval Office but it appears he needs a history lesson about its new contents.

The new rug adorning the famous floor, it was said, was woven with quotes from Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King.

But the quotations attributed to Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King in the wheat-coloured carpet in fact came from reformist and abolitionist Theodore Parker.

Obama wrongly attributes quotes on his new Oval Office rug to Martin Luther King and Abraham Lincoln

It took Barack Obama 18 months to put his own stamp on The Oval Office but it appears he needs a history lesson about its new contents.

The new rug adorning the famous floor, it was said, was woven with quotes from Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King.

But the quotations attributed to Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King in the wheat-coloured carpet in fact came from reformist and abolitionist Theodore Parker.

Medieval diet aids healthy eating message

The Horrible Histories series has been a great success in teaching children about the lives of the Romans, Aztecs and Egyptians, among others. But could history also hold the key to encouraging our children to eat better?

Medieval diet aids healthy eating message

The Horrible Histories series has been a great success in teaching children about the lives of the Romans, Aztecs and Egyptians, among others. But could history also hold the key to encouraging our children to eat better?

Timeline of the Arab-Israeli Conflict up to 1939

Using video, web and textbook sources, students start developing a timeline overview of the Middle East Conflict up to 1945. This image could be used as a teaching aid to clarify the borders of the Palestinian Mandate. Share this:

Causes of the Spanish Civil War

A collapsible list of essential revision points covering political, religious, economic, social and regional points. Share this:

26th August 1910 (100 years ago today) – Mother Teresa was born

By the 1970s, she was internationally famed as a humanitarian and advocate for the poor and helpless, due in part to a documentary and book Something Beautiful for God by Malcolm Muggeridge. She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 and India’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 1980 for her humanitarian work. Mother…

Introduction to the Middle East Conflict

A class brainstorm about what students already know about the Arab-Israeli conflict is followed by a preliminary write-up. This worksheet could be followed by (a) Going through this PowerPoint Presentation followed by this short video about 9/11. (b) watching this YouTube Video for extra notes. Share this:

A fading finest hour?

While memories of the Battle of Britain remain fresh in the minds of The Few who flew, and the staff who supported them, veterans fear its significance could soon be forgotten by others.

A fading finest hour?

While memories of the Battle of Britain remain fresh in the minds of The Few who flew, and the staff who supported them, veterans fear its significance could soon be forgotten by others.

Historical Anniversaries for September 2010

• The following list provides important anniversaries that could be commemorated in 2010. • It can be used by teachers preparing assemblies, extension tasks and one-off lessons. • I am limiting the list to multiples of 50 years (1960 (50 years ago today), 1910 (100 years ago today), 1860 (150 years ago today) etc). •…

13th August 1860 (150 years ago today) – Annie Oakley was born

Annie Oakley (August 13, 1860 – November 3, 1926), born Phoebe Ann Mosey, was an American sharpshooter and exhibition shooter. Oakley’s amazing talent and timely rise to fame led to a starring role in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show, which propelled her to become the first American female superstar…[wikipedia article] Share this:

10th August 1810 (200 years ago today) – Cavour was born

Camillo Paolo Filippo Giulio Benso, Count of Cavour, of Isolabella and of Leri (August 10, 1810 – June 6, 1861) was a leading figure in the movement toward Italian unification. He was the founder of the original Italian Liberal Party and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia, a position he maintained (except for a…

*The Middle East c.1914-1967: Complete Study Units / Teacher Notes for IB!*

I’ve just completed uploading a complete scheme of work – worksheets, interactivities, teacher notes – for a new study unit for IB / A-Level on the Middle East. 1914-47 1947-1949 1956: Suez 1967: 6-Day War …more will follow in due course as I teach further into the unit next year! Share this:

James Spod: Undercover in Mussolini’s Italy

In this brand new simulation, learn about the political, economic and social landscape of Fascist Italy as you fly across the British Channel and journey around Italy on a mission to assassinate Mussolini! Share this:

6th August 1660 (350 years ago today) – Velazquez Died

Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez (June 6, 1599 – August 6, 1660) was a Spanish painter who was the leading artist in the court of King Philip IV. He was an individualistic artist of the contemporary Baroque period, important as a portrait artist. In addition to numerous renditions of scenes of historical and cultural…

1066 and all those baby names

Norman names such as William, Henry and Alice have been popular for 1,000 years. Why did the English copy their invaders?

1066 and all those baby names

Norman names such as William, Henry and Alice have been popular for 1,000 years. Why did the English copy their invaders?

Mussolini and Fascist Italy

Research Task: Short Version Eight main policy areas will be researched (students later boil these down to five, then link them). The teacher will provide details on the first one using a model research piece and students should make notes. The class will then research the other rows and feedback with their findings. Share this:

Mussolini and Fascist Italy: Overview

Mussolini (a former schoolteacher and socialist) was appointed prime minister in October 1922 . As Duce (leader), he initially headed a coalition of Fascists and nationalists, but soon assumed dictatorial powers, although muted parliamentary opposition continued until the murder of Matteotti in 1924. As an extension activity, read through Mussolini’s answer to the question “What…

Historical Anniversaries for August 2010

• The following list provides important anniversaries that could be commemorated in 2010. • It can be used by teachers preparing assemblies, extension tasks and one-off lessons. • I am limiting the list to multiples of 50 years (1960 (50 years ago today), 1910 (100 years ago today), 1860 (150 years ago today) etc). •…