Historical Significance

In this webercise, you will explore several people and events

that hold historical significance. You will identify elements
about their lives and try to determine why these people or
events are considered historically important. You will begin to
learn to ask questions as you explore history. Finally, you will
choose someone who holds significance for you and do a brief
historical report about them.

Historically Significant People

Visit the three video links below (click on the name of each individual to go to
their video). As you watch each video, answer the questions below about each
person. You may use the back of this sheet or another piece of paper if you need
extra room for your answers.
Harriet Tubman (from YouTube TED Talks)
What was Harriet’s original name? (1pt)
___________________________________________

Why did she choose the name Harriet? (1pt)

___________________________________________

What condition did Harriet have due to a childhood

injury? (1pt) _________________________________

What was Harriet’s nickname as an adult? (1pt)

Photo Credit: Wikipedia
___________________________________________

What was the Underground Railroad? (1pt) _______________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Name three different jobs that Harriet had as an adult. (1pt) _________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

What did Harriet do that made her a significant historical figure? (2pts) ________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

If you could interview to Harriet Tubman, what is one question about her that you would ask?
(2pts) _______________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Mother Theresa
(from YouTube Biography Channel)

What age was Mother Theresa when she chose

that name? (1pt) _______________________

In what year did Mother Theresa have her

second calling that led her to work with the
poor? (1pt) ____________________________

In what country did Mother Theresa mainly

work? (1pt) ____________________________ Photo Credit: Saint Theresa of Calcutta Parish website

In what other countries did Mother Theresa help people? (1pt) _________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

What awards did Mother Theresa gain? (1pt) ________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

How many missions did Mother Theresa have by 1986? (1pt) ___________________________

What did Mother Theresa do that made her a significant historical figure? (2pts)
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

If you could interview to Mother Theresa, what is one question about her that you would ask?
(2pts) ________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
 Captain Cook (from YouTube Crash Course)
In what year was Captain
Cook born? (1pt)
____________________

What was Cook’s job?

(1pt) ________________
____________________
____________________

Photo Credit: SurferToday.com

How many voyages did Cook take while exploring the Pacific Ocean? (1pt) ________________

What 2 countries is Cook famous for exploring? (1pt) _________________________________

In what place did Cook die? (1pt) __________________________________________________

What did Captain Cook do that made him a significant historical figure? (2pts)
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

If you could interview to Captain Cook, what is one question about him that you would ask?
(2pts) ________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Historically Significant Events and Ideas
Visit one of the two YouTube Playlists from the Crash Course channel listed below
(click on the Playlist name to go there). From the playlist, pick out one video to
watch that is focused on a topic or idea (not a person) and then answer the
following questions.

Crash Course US History Playlist

Crash Course World History 1 Playlist

Questions to answer about your video:

What was the main topic covered by your video? (2pts) ________________________________
What did you find interesting about this topic? (3pts) _________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Why was this topic of historical importance? (3pts) ___________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
What is one thing you would want to know more about concerning this topic? (3pts)
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Who Is Significant to You?
Choose one of the following activities and create a piece about a person who is
significant to you. This could be someone you are related to, someone you look
up to (like a hero), or someone you find interesting. (10pts)
 Write a short paper of around 300-500 words describing your significant person. First,
give us details about this person: their name, what they do (or did), where they live (or
lived), and any other details you think are important or interesting. Then tell us why you
think this person is significant? Finally, tell us why you chose this person. Why are they
important to you?

 Create a picture or pictures, in color, that shows a person who is significant to you. This
could be a single picture (like a poster) or several pictures (like a comic book). In this
artwork, show images that tell us about your significant person. These images might
include who they are (or were), what they do (or did), where they live (or lived), and any
other details you think are important or interesting. Also show why you think this
person is significant? Finally, use your art piece to show how you relate to this person:
do you look up to them or admire them? Are they interesting to you in some way? Why
are they important to you?

 Create a video telling us about your significant person. The video should not be over 10
minutes long. In the video, tell us details about this person: their name, what they do
(or did), where they live (or lived), and any other details you think are important or
interesting. Then tell us why you think this person is significant? Finally, tell us why you
chose this person. Why are they important to you?