History Today

A Dictionary of the English Language was first published on 15 April 1755.

Jack Lohman, Director of the Museum of London, explains the significance of two Victorian paintings and why the Museum is delighted to have been able to acquire them.

The two halves of the railway tunnel linking Switzerland and Italy met on April 2nd, 1905.

David Nicholas suggests that America’s involvement in northern Europe was unwittingly shaped by a British War Office official, against the wishes of the President.

T.P. Wiseman looks at the development of the myth of ancient Rome, derived from the way its history has been seen.

Between February 13th and 15th, 1945, British and American bombers dropped nearly 4,000 tonnes of bombs on the refugee-crammed city of Dresden. David Spark relates how an officer at the British Air Ministry tried to get the raids called off.

James Barker on ‘Bomber’ Harris, the RAF’s wartime bombing campaign of Germany, and propaganda.

Richard Cavendish marks the funeral of one of medicine's most eminent pioneers, on March 18th, 1955.

Richard Cavendish marks the anniversary of the union of two branches of the Roosevelts, on March 17th, 1905

The Russian ruler died of pneumonia on March 2nd, 1855.