--- title: How to Use Archival Footage in the Classroom description: Discover how to use archival footage to enrich classroom lessons on topics from history to STEM! From classic clips to creative remixes, Boclips has it all image: https://www.boclips.com/hubfs/Vietnam%20War%20vid%20History360.png --- - Our approach - [Products](https://www.boclips.com/products) - Solutions - Company - Resources - [Login](https://app.boclips.com/) - - [Arabic](https://www.boclips.com/ar/) - [English](https://www.boclips.com) - [Start a Free Trial](https://www.boclips.com/contact) ### © Boclips 2025 ## World-class educational video content, curated by educators.  [Content Curation The best content in the world, curated by teachers We find the best educational content from the best creators around the globe, and compile it into collections and packages tailored to your needs.](https://www.boclips.com/content-curation?hsLang=en) [Content Alignment Standards- and curriculum-aligned Everything we publish meets educational standards and aligns with Bloom’s Taxonomy to help support your learning objectives.](https://www.boclips.com/content-alignment?hsLang=en) [Content Organization Easy-to-find, relevant, localised All our content is tagged by age level, subject area, pedagogical application, and more so that it’s easy to find relevant content that engages your audience.](https://www.boclips.com/content-organization?hsLang=en) [Integration & Delivery Distraction-free experiences Integrate with our libraries for instant access, display content without ads or distractions, and get deep insights on content engagement.](https://www.boclips.com/api-and-lti-integrations?hsLang=en) [Licensing & Rights Fully licensed and rights-cleared We secure and manage the rights to all our content, so you can go ahead and use it without worrying about licensing.](https://www.boclips.com/licensing-rights?hsLang=en) ## We believe that every student should be captivated by their learning. [![Boclips Classroom](https://www.boclips.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(2)-3.png?width=390&height=223&name=Untitled%20design%20(2)-3.png) Boclips Classroom Share Ed-Ready, curriculum-aligned videos directly with students through LMS, Google Classroom, and links.](https://www.boclips.com/classroom?hsLang=en) [![Boclips Library](https://www.boclips.com/hs-fs/hubfs/library%20nav@3x.png?width=400&height=229&name=library%20nav@3x.png) Boclips Library Boclips Library helps education providers access the best video content in the world, hassle-free.](https://www.boclips.com/library?hsLang=en) [![Boclips Integrate](https://www.boclips.com/hs-fs/hubfs/integrate%20nav@3x.png?width=400&height=229&name=integrate%20nav@3x.png) Boclips Integrate Enrich your platform with eye-opening educational experiences.](https://www.boclips.com/integrate?hsLang=en) [![Boclips highlights](https://www.boclips.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Copy%20of%20Untitled%20Design%20(1).png?width=1152&height=660&name=Copy%20of%20Untitled%20Design%20(1).png) AI Video Highlights Chat with our bot to see how AI recommended video highlights can enhance your AI tutors and edtech applications.](https://www.boclips.com/highlights?hsLang=en) ## Access the world's largest library of Ed-Ready video — how you need it, when you need it. [Publishers and Curriculum Developers Built for curriculum and instructional design teams, Boclips Library makes it easy to discover, license, and deliver the world’s best educational videos from premier brands in your courseware or digital learning materials, all from a single source.](https://www.boclips.com/library?hsLang=en) [EdTechs and Developers Built for EdTechs and Innovators, Boclips Integrate strengthens your value proposition and enriches your platform with access to 2.2 million Ed-Ready videos from 650+ of the world’s best educational content creators. ](https://www.boclips.com/integrate?hsLang=en) [Teachers, Schools and Districts Built for teachers to use in the classroom, Boclips provides a safe YouTube alternative that brings the power of educational video directly to your learners with teacher-friendly educational filters, curriculum alignments, and distraction-free sharing. ](https://www.boclips.com/teachers?hsLang=en) [AI for Education Enhance AI Tutors and AI-powered applications with safe, curated educational videos. Chat with our bot and see how AI-recommended video highlights can surface the right moment of the video to safeguard your AI Tutor against hallucination, make your edtech application multimodal, or create efficiencies for educators with AI video recommendations.](https://www.boclips.com/highlights?hsLang=en) ## We believe that every student can be captivated by their learning. ## We find and curate the world’s best educational audio and video content, and make it accessible simply, seamlessly and safely. [About us Learn more about our mission, our story and what we do.](https://www.boclips.com/about-us?hsLang=en) [Blog Browse opinions, toolkits and news from the Boclips team.](https://www.boclips.com/blog) [Working at Boclips Find out what it’s like to work with us, and see open positions.](https://www.boclips.com?hsLang=en) [Press & events We’ve been making headlines since 2014. Explore events and the news archive.](https://www.boclips.com/press?hsLang=en) [Blog Browse opinions, toolkits and news from the Boclips team.](https://www.boclips.com/blog) [Resources Discover upcoming and past webinars, video learning guides, and more.](https://www.boclips.com/resources?hsLang=en) [Collections Preview a curated selection of videos from our world-class library.](https://www.boclips.com/curated-collections?hsLang=en) January 13, 2026 # How to Use Archival Footage in the Classroom ![](https://www.boclips.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Vietnam%20War%20vid%20History360.png?width=352&name=Vietnam%20War%20vid%20History360.png) The growth of video and audio technology over the last hundred years has provided us with a rich and dynamic historical record. This footage brings to life the people and events that shaped history, from the Titanic to COVID-19. Archival footage of historic events is particularly powerful because it engages students in learning about the past in ways that text alone cannot. In this post, we’ll explore how to use archival footage for a variety of subjects, from history to STEM.   *If you’d like to skip directly to our Historical Archive playlist, follow* [*this link*](https://classroom.boclips.com/playlists/shared/6902683d970133704421800e?referer=eff2d39e-2ded-4706-aa12-f7c0fb255504)*.*   ELA Analyzing famous speeches is a great way to learn about persuasive writing and public speaking. What makes these speeches so powerful lies not just in the words themselves, but in their delivery. One of the most iconic examples of this in recent history is the *I Have a Dream* speech by renowned public speaker and civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Click the image below to watch a clip of this famous speech, or [follow this link](https://classroom.boclips.com/videos/69125e30c827577f6f66d6af) for a Boclips exclusive video that combines audio of the speech with modern analysis of sections of the text. [![MLK -I Have a Dream](https://www.boclips.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MLK%20-I%20%20Have%20a%20Dream.png?width=500&height=373&name=MLK%20-I%20%20Have%20a%20Dream.png)](https://classroom.boclips.com/videos/5c54ba48d8eafeecae11c3e9)   **PERFORMING ARTS** The theatre and performing arts were hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, difficult times require creative innovation, and the National Theatre rose to the challenge. Learn how the theater and performers adapted to the unique circumstances in the video below. [![National Theatre COVID Production](https://www.boclips.com/hs-fs/hubfs/National%20Theatre%20COVID%20Production.png?width=700&height=391&name=National%20Theatre%20COVID%20Production.png)](https://classroom.boclips.com/videos/632013ff54b8e12eda2ca847)   STEM What did people one hundred years ago think the technology of the future would look like? Click on the image below to hear what a 1930s technocrat had to say. A few of his ideas may sound surprisingly familiar to claims still being made today. [![1930s Technocrat](https://www.boclips.com/hs-fs/hubfs/1930s%20Technocrat.png?width=500&height=387&name=1930s%20Technocrat.png)Watch a video showing how a Venus Fly-Trap captures and eats its prey in the second half of](https://classroom.boclips.com/videos/5df8fb256899574b1da12ed8)[this film](https://classroom.boclips.com/videos/63ff1ea50a16094228ed2e8c)[, recorded in 1905.](https://classroom.boclips.com/videos/5df8fb256899574b1da12ed8)   HISTORY With tens of thousands of clips and countless opportunities to incorporate archival film footage into history class, it’s hard to pick favorites. Here is a short list of five videos that address popular history topics: - Watch as the RMS Titanic sets sail on its infamous voyage and see a few scenes onboard the ship in [this video from Bridgeman Arts](https://classroom.boclips.com/videos/627777b5a6703b6458e96a3f). - Examine a montage of clips from the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympic Games, featuring record-breaking track and field events by Jesse Owens, a Black American athlete. International tensions were high at these Olympic Games, which happened soon after the Nazi party took control of Germany and just three years before the outbreak of World War II. [![1936 Berlin Olympic Games](https://www.boclips.com/hs-fs/hubfs/1936%20Berlin%20Olympic%20Games.png?width=500&height=376&name=1936%20Berlin%20Olympic%20Games.png)](https://classroom.boclips.com/videos/5c54ce63d8eafeecae1bdbf4) - Duck and Cover is a notable Cold War-era public service video made by New York schools. The video uses animation and live action scenarios to teach children about what they should do to stay safe in case of an atomic bomb attack. [![Duck and Cover](https://www.boclips.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Duck%20and%20Cover.png?width=500&height=372&name=Duck%20and%20Cover.png)](https://classroom.boclips.com/videos/690e5e0bc827577f6f66d5d8) - The Vietnam War and its aftermath had a lasting impact on Southeast Asia and beyond. In this video, History360 explains the conditions in the region leading up to the outbreak of the war, as well as how and why the United States got involved in a civil war 9,000 miles away. [![Vietnam War vid History360](https://www.boclips.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Vietnam%20War%20vid%20History360.png?width=700&height=392&name=Vietnam%20War%20vid%20History360.png)](https://classroom.boclips.com/videos/6391dda1924f663defcefdc0) - The movement that came to be known as the Arab Spring began in Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia, and quickly spread across the Middle East/Southwest Asia and North Africa. Ten years later, Al Jazeera reporters talk to residents who reflect on the events of 2010 and discuss what has changed in the country and what remains the same. [Watch the video here](https://classroom.boclips.com/videos/68788516860c8396ee54bd6e).   ![blog_post_author_default](https://www.boclips.com/hubfs/Boclips%202023%20assets/logo-icon.svg) #### [Nora Kane](https://www.boclips.com/blog/author/nora-kane) Senior Editing and Partnerships Associate Nora has a background in media production with a focus in education and language learning. She currently works on the Boclips Content Team where she edits videos, manages content partner relationships, and sometimes makes playlists. Topics - [#Classroom](https://www.boclips.com/blog/topic/classroom?hsLang=en) - [#Video in Digital Learning](https://www.boclips.com/blog/topic/video-in-digital-learning?hsLang=en) - [#Educational Videos](https://www.boclips.com/blog/topic/educational-videos?hsLang=en) - [#Tips for Using Video](https://www.boclips.com/blog/topic/tips-for-using-video?hsLang=en) - [#Video Content Partners](https://www.boclips.com/blog/topic/video-content-partners?hsLang=en) - [#Boclips for Publishers](https://www.boclips.com/blog/topic/boclips-for-publishers?hsLang=en) - [#Issues in Education](https://www.boclips.com/blog/topic/issues-in-education?hsLang=en) - [#Educational Videos by Subject Area](https://www.boclips.com/blog/topic/teaching-subject-areas?hsLang=en) - [#News and Announcements](https://www.boclips.com/blog/topic/news-and-announcements?hsLang=en) - [#Events & Holidays](https://www.boclips.com/blog/topic/events-holidays?hsLang=en) - [#Video and Teaching Tools](https://www.boclips.com/blog/topic/video-and-teaching-tools?hsLang=en) - [#Teaching Methodologies](https://www.boclips.com/blog/topic/teaching-methodologies?hsLang=en) - [#Education Videos](https://www.boclips.com/blog/topic/education-videos?hsLang=en) - [#Video and Digital Literacy](https://www.boclips.com/blog/topic/video-and-digital-literacy?hsLang=en) - [#Short Educational Videos](https://www.boclips.com/blog/topic/short-educational-videos?hsLang=en) - [#Instructional Design](https://www.boclips.com/blog/topic/instructional-design?hsLang=en) - [#Multimodal Learning](https://www.boclips.com/blog/topic/multimodal-learning?hsLang=en) - [#Video and Student Safety](https://www.boclips.com/blog/topic/video-and-student-safety?hsLang=en) - [#Accessibility in Education](https://www.boclips.com/blog/topic/accessibility-in-education?hsLang=en) ## Latest insights See all insights See all [![](https://www.boclips.com/hubfs/Vietnam%20War%20vid%20History360.png)](https://www.boclips.com/blog/how-to-use-archival-footage-in-the-classroom) [How to Use Archival Footage in the Classroom](https://www.boclips.com/blog/how-to-use-archival-footage-in-the-classroom) The growth of video and audio technology over the last hundred years has provided us with a rich ... [Learn More](https://www.boclips.com/blog/how-to-use-archival-footage-in-the-classroom) [![paper snowflakes activity](https://www.boclips.com/hubfs/PaperSnowflakes%20activity.jpg)](https://www.boclips.com/blog/videos-for-teaching-educational-fall-and-winter-holiday-stories-in-the-classroom?hsLang=en) [Videos for Teaching Educational Fall and Winter Holiday Stories in the Classroom](https://www.boclips.com/blog/videos-for-teaching-educational-fall-and-winter-holiday-stories-in-the-classroom?hsLang=en) Holidays are a fun and festive time in the classroom, offering a valuable break from the usual ... [Learn More](https://www.boclips.com/blog/videos-for-teaching-educational-fall-and-winter-holiday-stories-in-the-classroom?hsLang=en) [![Image endangered African Bush Elephant adult with calf](https://www.boclips.com/hubfs/African_Bush_Elephants-1.jpg)](https://www.boclips.com/blog/learning-about-endangered-species?hsLang=en) [Learning About Endangered Species](https://www.boclips.com/blog/learning-about-endangered-species?hsLang=en) What are Endangered Species? Thousands of plants and animals around the world are considered to be ... [Learn More](https://www.boclips.com/blog/learning-about-endangered-species?hsLang=en) Request a demo ### US: 68 Harrison Ave Ste 605 PMB 71632, Boston, Massachusetts, 02111, USA UK: 3rd Floor, 1 Ashley Road, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 2DT, United Kingdom [+44 (0)20-7183-4257](tel:++44%20(0)20-7183-4257) [support@boclips.com](mailto:support@boclips.com) ### Our approach - [The best content in the world](https://www.boclips.com/content-curation) - [Easy-to-find, relevant, localised](https://www.boclips.com/content-organization) - [Fully licensed and rights-cleared](https://www.boclips.com/licensing-rights) - [Standard- and curriculum-aligned](https://www.boclips.com/content-alignment) - [Seamless integration and delivery](https://www.boclips.com/api-and-lti-integrations) ### Products - [Library](https://www.boclips.com/library) - [Integrate](https://www.boclips.com/integrate) - [Classroom](https://www.boclips.com/classroom) ### Content Partners - [Boclips for creators](https://www.boclips.com/creators) ### Company - [About us](https://www.boclips.com/about-us) - [Insights](https://www.boclips.com/blog) - [Press](https://www.boclips.com/press) ### © 2024 Knowledge Motion, Inc [AI Policy](https://www.boclips.com/ai-policy?hsLang=en) [Accessibility](https://www.boclips.com/accessibility-statement?hsLang=en) [Editing](https://www.boclips.com/editing-policy?hsLang=en) [Systems Status](https://boclips.statuspage.io/) [Terms & Conditions - Boclips Library and Integrate](http://boclips.com/mlsa) [Terms & Conditions - Boclips Classroom](http://boclips.com/mlsa-classroom) [Privacy & Cookies](https://www.boclips.com/privacy-policy?hsLang=en) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "VideoObject", "contentUrl" : "https://stream.mux.com/qMhS23h02uTzCcgiOVcWAYe00AaW01xI7LNsRY5rzmrioo/capped-1080p.mp4", "dateModified" : "2025-05-09T17:17:17.153Z", "duration" : "PT33S", "height" : 1080, "name" : "Endangered species_FuseSchol_blog clip", "thumbnailUrl" : "https://4854096.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/4854096/Endangered%20species_FuseSchol_blog%20clip.mp4/medium.jpg?t=1746811037153", "uploadDate" : "2025-05-09T17:16:29.056Z", "width" : 1920 } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "VideoObject", "contentUrl" : "https://stream.mux.com/uRnxy2WxSuyki9rUttypacyRw2iR7Q9CBclaSwOTXDM/capped-1080p.mp4", "dateModified" : "2025-05-09T17:21:21.114Z", "duration" : "PT18S", "height" : 1080, "name" : "Endangered Species_Business Prof_blog clip", "thumbnailUrl" : "https://4854096.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/4854096/Endangered%20Species_Business%20Prof_blog%20clip.mp4/medium.jpg?t=1746811281114", "uploadDate" : "2025-05-09T17:16:23.336Z", "width" : 1920 } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "VideoObject", "contentUrl" : "https://stream.mux.com/6GEp01pS00c9tPtUc1Mn00lJS2KWOhCwZW5PUc3my2Bsgk/capped-1080p.mp4", "dateModified" : "2025-05-09T17:22:19.107Z", "duration" : "PT50S", "height" : 1080, "name" : "Endangered Species_Brave Wilderness_blog clip", "thumbnailUrl" : "https://4854096.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/4854096/Endangered%20Species_Brave%20Wilderness_blog%20clip.mp4/medium.jpg?t=1746811339107", "uploadDate" : "2025-05-09T17:16:51.799Z", "width" : 1920 } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "VideoObject", "contentUrl" : "https://stream.mux.com/bNrT4VvnCe3zOWi8ALfNmeNj802ZPZy02vLQzOSs1S8gM/capped-1080p.mp4", "dateModified" : "2025-05-09T17:22:53.648Z", "duration" : "PT36S", "height" : 1080, "name" : "Endangered Species_Knowledge_blog clip", "thumbnailUrl" : "https://4854096.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/4854096/Endangered%20Species_Knowledge_blog%20clip.mp4/medium.jpg?t=1746811373648", "uploadDate" : "2025-05-09T17:16:45.061Z", "width" : 1920 } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "VideoObject", "contentUrl" : "https://stream.mux.com/kAqiOafI3ewYipqdx9vPc01gVt00cc00Q7n2t1yh2wekU4/capped-1080p.mp4", "dateModified" : "2025-05-09T17:26:09.079Z", "duration" : "PT49S", "height" : 1080, "name" : "Endangered Species_Overview_blog clip", "thumbnailUrl" : "https://4854096.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/4854096/Endangered%20Species_Overview_blog%20clip.mp4/medium.jpg?t=1746811569079", "uploadDate" : "2025-05-09T17:16:51.233Z", "width" : 1920 } ```