HistoryExtra

This ordinary ancient Roman object is still used today – and has hardly changed From dealing with nits to learning the three Rs, ancient Roman childhood bore some striking similarities to the modern experience

From dealing with nits to learning the three Rs, ancient Roman childhood bore some striking similarities to the modern experience

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3,100 years ago, ancient Egyptian workers defeated a God-King – without using any weapons Before picket lines and unionisation, ancient Egyptian artisans learned that collectively withdrawing labour could force even a pharaoh to negotiate

Before picket lines and unionisation, ancient Egyptian artisans learned that collectively withdrawing labour could force even a pharaoh to negotiate

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A vintage black and white photo of a soccer match between players from FC Barcelona and Milan, captured in a crowded stadium. A player from Milan is seen attempting to gain control of the ball, while the Barcelona player defends. Spectators fill the stands in the background.

#OnThisDay in 1908, the Football Club Internazionale Milano was founded. Known in the UK as Inter Milan, the club derives its name from its founders' wish to accommodate foreign players as well as Italians.

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What was the Habsburg jaw? One family was an ever-present force in European affairs from the Middle Ages to the modern era, but, as Jonny Wilkes explores, the Habsburgs’ desperate bid to keep power within the family gave them a...

What was the Habsburg jaw? As Jonny Wilkes explores, the Habsburgs' desperate bid to keep power within the family gave them a distinctive physical callsign, as well as dynastic longevity…

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A person in early 20th-century aviation attire stands beside a vintage propeller airplane, hand resting on the propeller. The individual is wearing goggles and a long coat, posed confidently in an outdoor setting.

#OnThisDay in 1910, Raymonde de Laroche became the world's first licensed female pilot. The French aviatrix was issued with the licence number 36 by the Aero-Club de France.

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Henry VIII wanted a giant Tudor tomb. So why didn’t he get it? Henry VIII planned a monumental tomb to match his power and legacy. Instead, the king who reshaped England’s relationship with Rome now lies beneath a small, easily missed slab. Here’s how three Tudor...

Henry VIII planned a monumental tomb to match his power and legacy. Instead, the king now lies beneath a small, easily-missed slab. Here’s how three Tudor monarchs, and a civil war, erased his grand design

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#OnThisDay in 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte captured Jaffa in Palestine. After taking the city from Ottoman forces, Napoleon allowed his troops to rape and murder their way across the city for two days.

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Was a ruthless Tudor matriarch behind the disappearance of the Princes in the Tower? Margaret Beaufort has long been put forward as a shadowy mastermind potentially behind one of England’s greatest royal mysteries. Does the case against her stand up to scrutiny?

Margaret Beaufort has long been put forward as a shadowy mastermind potentially behind one of England’s greatest royal mysteries. Does the case against her stand up to scrutiny?

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A person in 19th-century attire is seated at a table, resting their head on one hand while reading a book. They are wearing a dark, long-sleeved dress with ruffled cuffs and a high collar, and their hair is styled in a braid. The setting is formal and the image is in black and white.

#OnThisDay in 1888, Louisa M Alcott, writer and feminist, died. Her best-known work is 'Little Women', a novel which was largely based on her own experiences.

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Could the Queen Mother have secured the loan of the Bayeux Tapestry to the British Museum 45 years ago? After many centuries, the Bayeux Tapestry is returning to Britain in 2026. But as the loan draws closer, new information about attempts to bring forth a previous loan have come to light

After many centuries, the Bayeux Tapestry is returning to Britain in 2026. But as the loan draws closer, new information about attempts to bring forth a previous loan have come to light

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Over 70 observers watched this Stuart queen give birth. Why did they still doubt the baby was real? The struggle between Catholicism and Protestantism came to a head in England when Maria of Modena gave birth to an heir with a claim to two crowns

The struggle between Catholicism and Protestantism came to a head in England when Maria of Modena gave birth to an heir with a claim to two crowns

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This is a black and white engraving of Saladin, depicting a historical individual wearing a detailed robe and a head covering. The figure has a long beard and rests a hand on the chest.

#OnThisDay in 1193, Saladin, sultan of Egypt and Syria and founder of the Ayyubid dynasty, died in Damascus. In 1187 he had defeated Christian forces at Hattin and recaptured Jerusalem.

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The Tudor law that forced an occult practice underground for centuries As well as creating new regulations on faith, Henry VIII’s 16th-century government also decided which kinds of knowledge were legitimate – and which were criminal

As well as creating new regulations on faith, Henry VIII’s 16th-century government also decided which kinds of knowledge were legitimate – and which were criminal

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A historical black-and-white photograph shows a group of people in period clothing holding a banner that reads, "I Wish Ma Could Vote." Some individuals are holding American flags. The scene depicts part of a suffrage movement march, taking place on a city street with buildings in the background.

#OnThisDay in 1913, thousands of women took to the streets of Washington DC in the city's first suffragist march. The women marched in pursuit of their right to vote but they were met with jeers and abuse from men on sidewalks.

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With conflicting advice and endless new trends, it can feel hard to keep up with the modern health and wellness space. But ideas about how to live a healthy life are nothing new. Thousands of years ago, the ancient Greeks had their own list of requirements...

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A regal figure wearing a golden crown and elaborate medieval attire stands at the center, holding a long red cloak with intricate patterns. Surrounded by three armored figures, two holding shields and spears on either side. The background features a softly depicted landscape with a hill and trees.

#OnThisDay in 1141, Empress Matilda met with Henry of Blois, the Bishop of Winchester. Henry agreed to support Matilda's claim to the English throne against his brother, King Stephen.

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#OnThisDay in 1815, Napoleon returned to France to re-take power. After being in exile on the Mediterranean island of Elba for over 9 months, Napoleon landed on the south coast of France and headed for Paris.

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An historical illustration depicting a crowded scene in front of an old building with Edinburgh Castle visible in the background, situated on a hill. Numerous individuals are gathered, listening to a figure standing on an elevated platform.

#OnThisDay in 1638, members of the Scottish nobility signed the National Covenant at the churchyard of Greyfriars Kirk, in Edinburgh. In doing so, they opposed Charles I's proposed reforms of the Church of Scotland.

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Quality or quantity? With WW2 tanks, there was a surprising winner Amid the industrial warfare of the Second World War, battlefield performance depended on precise logistics and the ability to absorb catastrophic losses. How did America, Germany and the Soviet Union ...

Amid the industrial warfare of the Second World War, battlefield performance depended on precise logistics and the ability to absorb catastrophic losses. How did America, Germany and the Soviet Union approach this problem? https://bit.ly/3ZIGigD

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The image shows the Reichstag building in Berlin engulfed in flames at night, with smoke rising from the dome. The illuminated facade displays the words "Dem Deutschen Volke."

#OnThisDay in 1933, the Reichstag, seat of the German parliament, was gutted by fire. The Nazi regime blamed the fire on the German Communist Party and used it to justify the imposition of their first restrictions on personal liberty.

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An individual sits on a terrace at night, using a telescope to gaze at the stars. The scene includes a rolled-up document on the table, a second telescope on the ground, and architectural features like columns and arches. Silhouettes of buildings are visible in the background under a starry sky.

#OnThisDay in 1616, Galileo was ordered to abandon his astronomical ideas by the Catholic Church. Galileo's observations suggested that the Sun was at the centre of the Solar System and that Earth was an orbiting planet, a theory which contradicted the accepted view of the Catholic Church.

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The simple secret that kept the ordinary Tudor diet surprisingly healthy For most people in Tudor England, an ordinary diet was more structured – and often more varied – than we might expect

For most people in Tudor England, an ordinary diet was more structured – and often more varied – than we might expect

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Thomas Edison: life of the week Iwan Morus introduces the real Thomas Edison – an inventor whose success was fuelled by ambition and tireless self-promotion

Here I am, talking to @historyextra.bsky.social about Thomas Edison and what his story tells us about technological future-making and its history.

A large assembly room filled with people sitting at wooden desks. A speaker stands at a podium addressing the audience. Behind the podium, a prominent statue of Vladimir Lenin is positioned high on a wall, overlooking the room.

#OnThisDay in 1956, Nikita Khrushchev denounced Stalin. In a four-hour-long 'Secret Speech', Khrushchev openly criticised Stalin's regime as one of "mass terror".

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Step inside Hitler's U-boats to witness the nightmarish reality of life on board Hitler’s U-boats were a feared component of his naval strategy during the Second World War. But what was life aboard these weaponised submersibles actually like?

Hitler’s U-boats were a feared component of his naval strategy during the Second World War. But what was life aboard these weaponised submersibles actually like?

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A handwritten letter in French, featuring slightly faded and smudged script on a distressed paper background.

#OnThis Day in 1848, the last French King, Louis-Philippe, abdicated his throne. Amidst riots over the government's decision to ban fundraising banquets, and fights between demonstrators and troops on the streets, the king left Paris for exile in Surrey.

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From secret cults to Christianity, how did ancient Roman religion change so dramatically? Ancient Rome didn't abandon its gods overnight. The rise of Christianity was a slow transformation of the cult-based religious order that had structured Roman life for centuries

Ancient Rome didn’t abandon its gods overnight. The rise of Christianity was a slow transformation of the cult-based religious order that had structured Roman life for centuries

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A painting of John Keats, a thoughtful individual, sitting with a hand on their chin. An open book lies in front of them.

#OnThisDay in 1821, English poet John Keats died of consumption in Rome. He is the author of works including 'Ode to a Nightingale' and 'La Belle Dame Sans Merci'.

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In 1848, the US ended a war with its neighbour and took its land. What happened next? A peace treaty ended the Mexican–American War in February 1848 and officially left California as new American territory. Unbeknownst to any of the negotiators, gold had been discovered in California j...

A peace treaty ended the Mexican-American War in February 1848 and officially left California as new American territory. Unbeknownst to any of the negotiators, gold had been discovered in California just nine days before the treaty was signed

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A black-and-white photo of Lord Baden-Powell and another man, both wearing scout uniforms, walking together at an outdoor event. Both are adorned with medals. A group of onlookers and other scouts are in the background.

#OnThisDay in 1857, Lord Baden-Powell (pictured centre), the founder of the Boy Scouts, was born in London.

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