A series of clips from the BBC series, Icons, celebrating the achievements of some of the greatest figures of the 20th century.
Discussion of racial descrimination, civil rights and apartheid could raise emotive issues around racism and identity. Teacher review is recommended prior to use in class.
These short films are suitable for teaching history at KS3 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and 3rd and 4th Level in Scotland.
Neil Armstrong - First person on the Moon. video
Dermot O’Leary explains how Neil Armstrong flew planes for the US in the Korean war and as a test pilot before he made history as the first person to walk on the Moon’s surface.
Marie Curie - The person who discovered radium and polonium. video
Chris Packham explains how Marie Curie’s discovery of polonium and radium changed atomic theory and how her study of radioactivity helped doctors save thousands of lives.
Dr Martin Luther King - American Civil Rights leader. video
Sanjeev Bhaskar finds out how Dr Martin Luther King advanced the Civil Rights movement in America through non-violent resistance.
Nelson Mandela - Freedom fighter and South Africa's first black president. video
Sir Trevor McDonald reports on Nelson Mandela, who went from freedom fighter to become South Africa’s first black president.
Helen Keller - The writer who proved her disability was not debilitating. video
Sanjeev Bhaskar explores the life of Helen Keller, a writer, journalist, activist and ambassador who was deaf and blind but proved her disability was not debilitating.
