Passing database info into URL

Hi,

I have been scouring the Internet for a good read on creating webpages
whose address depends on data retrieved from a from via GET method OR a
MySQL database ... but counldn't find anything decent.

For example, want to create ten pages about 10 different items.
Because I want the header, the footer, the navigation to remain the
same from page to page, I'd like each page to NOT be a separate html
file, but be referenced by something like
http://<mysitename>/items/index.php?item_ID=1. Kind of like separate
WordPress posts.

How would I do something like that and where would I read about it?

Thanks.