I can't really ask it any clearer than the title here.  I'm somewhat lost most of the time as far as references and names given in my playing of WoW.  Where would be a good place to go for a comprehensive but not say, boring or overwhelming, Warcraft History lesson.  Short of dumping dozens of hours into playing the main games.  Sure maybe I'm not missing much as far as the story goes but i do like the worlds i play in to be as fleshed out as possible.
 
I guess another question would be at what point in the Warcraft series does the story really even become relevant and necessary to follow?

Sweet thanks.

The official WoW site used to have a few decent bits and pieces about lore and events but the new site doesn't (yet) I think.
You can youtube some patch videos to taste some of the atmosphere and put a image to stuff like Naxxramas or the Argent tournament!

I would say that in addition to the links given above, use the first link up there just to look up random lore things.  I've found myself doing that A LOT since Cata came out, since I have to keep asking myself "where did _____ go?"