History used to be my least favorite class in school. All the names, places and dates used to overwhelm me.
As an adult, though, I’ve grown to enjoy history because I’ve found ways to make it relevant and even enjoyable.
That’s where YouTube comes into play. There are some excellent history channels on YouTube that keep me engaged and teach me things. For instance, now I understand a lot more about why the Syrian civil war matters.
If you subscribe to any of these nine history channels on YouTube, you’ll finish with a much better grasp of past events.
Crash Course
By far, my top YouTube history channel is Crash Course.
The presenter, John Green, is incredibly entertaining and witty. He’s a big reason the videos are so engaging.
That, and the polished visuals.
He’s very funny and uses lots of playful devices to hold my attention. He also lays out context really clearly. For example, his episode The Clinton Years, or the 1990s helped me see how President Bill Clinton influenced the U.S. economy. And Archdukes, Cynicism and World War I clarified how an assassination spiraled into a global conflict.
The episodes are typically 10 to 15 minutes long and organized into useful playlists.
Extra Credits
If you play video games, you might already be familiar with Extra Credits. While Extra Credits is primarily a gaming channel, tucked inside their playlists is a treasure trove of U.S. and world history.
For example, I picked up a lot of information about D-Day that I hadn’t known before. They use cartoon illustrations to explain things and the narrator has a soothing tone.
Children will like Extra Credits, too, because of the simple animation and casual, “cool” language.
The Great War
The Great War zeroes in on a single historical subject. You guessed it: The Great War, aka World War I.
Host Indiana Neidell takes a very thorough look at the War to End All Wars in weekly installments.
How can there be so many videos about World War I? They package episodes in different formats so it’s easier to locate the specific information you want.
They offer recaps, preludes and Q&As. Neidell talks through the maneuvers of each nation. Sometimes he focuses on minute details to paint a vivid picture of what occurred.
One thing is obvious. The host really enjoys discussing The Great War.
It’s History
It’s History is geared toward viewers who are serious about history. Unlike many channels on this list, they aren’t aiming for laughs — It’s History is genuinely passionate about the subject.
The clips run five to ten minutes and tackle a broad array of topics. Some playlists explore entire eras, while other videos zero in on a single pivotal moment.
The presenter is engaging, which helps when the material can be a bit dry. Production values are high, so the videos are pleasant to watch.
Watch out for their eye-catching thumbnails!
HipHughes History
HipHughes History features Keith Hughes, a high school instructor who decided to produce some offbeat videos about the past.
He’s the kind of teacher who thinks he’s one of the “hip” students when he tosses around phrases like “on point” or “sick,” but he’s not really.
Although Hughes clearly enjoys being on camera — very obviously — his videos are informative. He breaks down complex historical topics so they’re simple to grasp.
His roughly 10-minute episodes cover particular historical incidents as well as more contemporary issues, like impeachment.
Feature History
Feature History produces a range of slick videos aimed at “history-challenged teens.” But they were useful to me as well.
The narrator is amusing and explains many historical events. Some subjects are obscure, like the Thirty Years War, while other episodes cover major events, such as the War of the Roses.
The visuals are minimal, which makes the content easy to follow. The Australian channel overlays text on the footage, so you can watch muted.
Fans of “Hamilton” should check out his episode on the duel’s background.
Epic History TV
When they call themselves Epic History TV, they mean just that — epic. The soundtrack is more dramatic than a major film.
Their aim is to explain history so you can see how events fit into the broader story.
Epic History TV’s videos are dense with information and use maps and images to help narrate the tale. A serious-sounding narrator walks through various historical episodes.
Some segments are as short as five minutes, while others run about 15 minutes.
Simple History
Simple History lives up to its title: it’s all about the essentials. Simple History is great for someone who’s cramming for a test or just needs a quick refresher on a subject.
They have well-ordered playlists that make finding a topic straightforward.
Episodes tend to be only a few minutes long, so they don’t dig deeply into context. They stick to who, what, when, where and how.
The narrator talks over simple animations, which keeps things “simple.”
History Channel
The History Channel maintains a YouTube presence, of course.
It’s the only channel here that frequently uses real actors and locations. Many videos mirror what airs on their TV network. Still, they do offer concise videos that tackle broad themes.
Because there’s a fair amount of promotional material or clips from their non-history shows, browse their playlists to locate the historical content.
Biography Channel
The Biography Channel concentrates on individuals, naturally. While you won’t find an in-depth analysis of Hitler’s ascent to power, you can watch a short bio to learn more about him.
The Biography Channel produces two main types of clips. Mini bios are two- to three-minute videos about a particular person. They also publish “On This Day” pieces that explain what occurred on a certain date in history.
Like the History Channel, Biography’s production quality is polished. Mini bios often include interview segments.
Who would’ve thought I’d ever enjoy learning about the Chechen Wars? After diving into these YouTube channels, I’m eager to soak up as much history as I can. For more ways to expand your knowledge, check out learn on youtube and some of the best youtube channels for kids.
