History Today

Anatomical pop-up books, introduced in the 16th century, took anatomy out of the lecture hall and into the home. 

Spreading east in the 11th century, the Normans soon became a feared part of the Byzantine army, but a mercenary’s loyalty is always to his paymaster, as the empire would soon discover. 

Before the secret ballot, voting in Britain was a theatrical, violent and public affair. The Act that made democracy private turned 150 this year.

During the worst year of the Troubles, the British government became alarmed at the implications of a Soviet embassy opening in Dublin.

Alcohol was part of daily life in the colonial Maghreb. In 1913 the French banned alcohol in Tunisia, revealing a deep distrust of local drinks and their Jewish and Muslim makers. 

A symbol of rebirth and redemption, the phoenix itself has been born and reborn – from ancient Egypt to New York. 

We ask 20 questions of leading historians on why their research matters, one book everyone should read and their views on historical drama …

On the 50th anniversary of Watergate we ask four historians about its afterlife – beyond the impressively versatile -gate suffix.

In 1982 Britain’s armed forces were focused on the possibility of confrontation with the Soviet Union. They were unprepared for war in the South Atlantic, against an opponent with weapons supplied by NATO allies.