1,000 Years of European History -- An Animated Map (paul.kedrosky.com)

Looking at this really makes you understand how Germany came to be a Federal Republic, show this to anybody that can't understand just who the laws and customs in various German states are so different and they will get it right away.

Highlights are the Golden Horde (0:40) and Napoleon's march to Moscow (4:00)

This is amazing, I wish it were interactive, learning history was (and still is) difficult for me as a visual learner.

A ticker with the year would be a great addition.