History Explained

Many historians think they don’t need to understand archaeology to understand history. Who needs objects when there are written records anyway? But the further back in time we study, the fewer records survive, and to understand prehistory – which by…

History Explained

A Brief History of History

Key facts about history Our idea of history has changed over time, and has been influenced by many things. The word 'history' comes from the Ancient Greek word for 'inquiry'. Herodotus is considered as the father of…

Subscribe to History Explained

Fact of the Day

A seventeenth-century Frenchman who was trying to invent a steam engine was sent to a madhouse by Cardinal Richelieu.

Quote of the Day

"By seeing London, I have seen as much of life as the world can show. "

~ Samuel Johnson

On This Day

1579 Thomas Gresham, merchant, financier, and founder of the Royal Exchange, died suddenly, apparently of apoplexy. He bequeathed his estate, after the death of his wife, to the Corporation of London and the Mercers' Company to set up a college to provide free lectures to the public; Gresham College thus became London's first institution of higher education.

1916 The hospital ship Britannic, sister-ship of Titanic, hit a mine and sank, killing 30.

1918 Ten days after the Armistice, the German navy surrendered to the British in the Firth of Forth.

1920 The assassinations of British intelligence officers ordered by Michael Collins in the Irish War of Independence led to thirty-one dead (from both sides) in what became known as 'Bloody Sunday'.

1974 21 people were killed and 182 injured when bombs exploded in two Birmingham pubs. The IRA was probably responsible, but the real culprits have never been found. The Birmingham Six, originally convicted of the bombings, were released because of dodgy police practices.

1981 The proceedings of the House of Commons were televised live for the first time.