History Today

Tony Aldous looks at the genesis and reception of the Royal Festival Hall, like us celebrating its 50th anniversary this spring.

John MacKenzie reviews the impact of Queen Victoria in shaping a new national identity and institutions, as the V&A opens its new exhibition on the Victorian Vision.

David Lowenthal introduces our new series on History and the Environment with an overview of the subject and of human interaction with the world we inhabit.

Richard Cavendish marks the anniversary of an important Scandinavian battle, which took place on April 2nd, 1801.

Richard Cavendish provides a brief history of the Miss World contest, first won by Miss Sweden, Kiki Haakinson, on April 19th, 1951.

Susan Walker looks at our image of the great queen, as a major exhibition on her life opens at the British Museum.

York Membery looks at the advertisements that graced the first issue of History Today, and sees in them a reflection of the magazine's own past, and of a changing society.

Roy Porter discusses how the British Enlightenment paved the way for the modern world.

Japan's 124th Emperor was born on April 29th, 1901