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…

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Fact of the Day

In the late 16th century, the legal age for marriage in Stratford-upon-Avon was 14 for men and 12 for women.

Quote of the Day

"The business of America is business. "

~ Calvin Coolidge (US President)

On This Day

1846 Scottish surgeon Robert Liston was the first European to use anaesthesia during an amputation. He could amputate a leg in two and a half minutes.

1898 Scientists Pierre and Marie Curie discovered the radioactive element radium.

1937 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs', the world's first full-length animated film, premiered in the USA

1946 A tsunami caused by an undersea earthquake killed at least 1,362 and left thousands homeless in Japan.

1967 Louis Washkansky, the first man to undergo a heart transplant, died in Cape Town, South Africa, 18 days after his operation.

1988 Pan Am Flight 103 exploded as it was flying over Lockerbie, Scotland. All 243 passengers and 16 crew, and 11 residents of Lockerbie were killed