The National Archives Education Service

Sunday 23 August 2026 marked UNESCO International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition.

This image from our collection is an 1859 plan of the hold of the barque Isla De Cuba, a ship that was suspected by the Royal Navy of playing a role in the transatlantic slave trade. The diagram shows the hold containing barrels used for ‘rice and farina’, or flour from wheat. Other details about the ship are provided in the key.

To learn more about the history of the slave trade, and see other original documents from our collection, visit our free online resources:

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/slavery/
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/bussas-rebellion/

Or book a free educational session for your class:
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/sessions/resistance-and-rebellion-in-the-caribbean/

Image reference: FO 84/1310

Back to school. Back to the Archives!

This autumn bring history to life with our curriculum-linked workshops. Using original historical records students can investigate the past, develop critical thinking skills and discover history first hand through our incredible collection of original documents.

Book your workshop now!

Onsite:
https://tinyurl.com/26jy763h

Online:
https://tinyurl.com/nhz939uy

We are delighted to announce that Michael Underwood will be presenter of our forthcoming 'Archives Live: The Great Fire of London' on the 5th October!

Michael will be guiding us through the story of the fire, looking at collections from The National Archives, The London Archives and talking to The London Fire Brigade about fire safety then and now.

Michael Underwood is a broadcaster and primary school teacher. He spent many years presenting children’s television, including programmes for CBBC and CITV, before moving into education back in 2018. Combining his experience of engaging young audiences on screen with his passion for teaching, he is delighted to be working with The National Archives to bring history to life for children.

Book your tickets to this exciting live event now!

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/sessions/archives-live-the-great-fire-of-london/

Watch our film, Spotlight On… Thomas Becket!

Today we’re rewinding to our Spotlight On film about Thomas Becket, the murdered Archbishop who became a saint. Join Medieval Records Specialist Kathryn Maude as she delves into our collection to explore four fascinating records that give a unique insight into the life, legacy, and infamous death of Thomas Becket.

Watch the film here:

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/students/videos/spotlight-on/spotlight-on-thomas-becket/

On this day, 13 August 1961: the Soviets began building the Berlin Wall.

The wall, built overnight on the orders of Soviet leader Nikita Krushchev, separated Soviet-controlled East Berlin from Western-controlled West Berlin. Many East Germans were leaving for the West by crossing the border in Berlin. It stood for 30 years, before being torn down in a moment that came to symbolise the collapse of the Soviet Union.

To find out more about the Cold War, and discover original documents from our collection, see these resources:

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/cold-war-on-file/
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/cold-war/

Or book one of our free sessions for your class:
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/sessions/coldwar/

Sunday 9 August 2026 marked the United Nations’ International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, celebrating the cultures, stories and achievements of indigenous peoples across the world, and helping to protect their rights.

This photograph from our Foreign Office (FO) collection, dating from between 1872 and 1876, shows a Sioux encampment at Turtle Mountain. Taken by Boundary Commissioner Major Cameron, this and many other photographs formed part of a survey to determine the boundary between Canada and the United States. Today, the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation, located in the state of North Dakota, is home to Plains Ojibwe and Métis peoples.

You can find more resources exploring contact between Native Americans and European settlers, featuring original archival material, on our website:

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/native-north-americans/
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/explore-the-collection/explore-by-time-period/georgians/native-americans-18th-century/

Image ref: FO 302/30 (116)

🎬 It's a wrap! Thank you to our wonderful young animators for joining us this week! Looking forward to seeing the finished films at our premiere in February ⭐🎥 ⭐

The Learning Space is a little less tidy... and a lot more creative!

Our animators have been hard at work developing their ideas and and bringing their spy stories to the screen. 🎬 🕵️

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/students/archive-experiences/film-projects/2026-secrets-and-spies-reconstructing-the-narrative/

On this day, 5th August 1962: Nelson Mandela was arrested.

The anti-apartheid political leader was arrested with fellow activist Cecil Williams, while travelling incognito near Howick, South Africa. Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years, finally being released in 1990, and would go on to serve as the first black president of South Africa and receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

Lean more with our online resources featuring original documents from our collection:

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/significant-people-collection/nelson-mandela/
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/apartheid-in-south-africa/
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/students/videos/spotlight-on/spotlight-on-south-african-apartheid/

Or book an educational workshop for a class here:

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/sessions/apartheid-fight-for-freedom/

Image ref: FCO 105/442 (1)

The calm before the creative storm! Our Learning Space won't stay this tidy for long 🎨🎬

Today we welcome 11 young people to The National Archives for Day 1 of our Secrets and Spies Animation Project.

Watch this space to see what they create. Due for declassification by the end of the week. 🕵️