History Today

Michael Burleigh describes how the traditional debate over euthanasia was given a perverted twist by the Nazi use of it for a campaign of mass extermination, and the films and actors they used to enlist support for it.

Political cartoonists are the sharpshooters of the artistic world; theirs is a skilled but risky profession. Peter Mellini draws a line on the marksman James 'Gabriel' Friell, whose career at the Daily Worker and Evening Standard spanned the crucial years of Depression, World War, Cold War and post-war recovery.

Richard Welch charts the extraordinary explosion in American music and argues for its impact on society as a whole.

Ross Hassig questions whether the rationale behind the fighting in Mexico which Cortes encountered in 1519 has not been misunderstood.

Joseph Wright of Derby and the exhibition at the Tate.

Robert Waller on the history, dangers and importance of opinion polls.

Ann Hills on a major new appeal to aid a school famous for its archaeology and exhibitions.

Aram Bakshian on the historic tensions of Islam and secular nationalism

Pamela Tudor-Craig tours the cathedrals of the Kremlin.

Michael Diamond discusses what popular songs and singers had to say about Britain's politicians in the 1880s and 1890s.