Which anniversaries are being marked in Britain in 2020? Here is a selection of noteworthy events and birthdays for you. You can be sure that each one will be on someone’s calendar for 2020 – and each one offers an…
A Bit About Britain’s History repeats itself
Finally – A Bit About Britain’s History (From a long time ago until quite recently) is available as both an e-book and paperback on Amazon. A Bit About Britain’s History is a light introduction to Britain’s fascinating story. It could…
Anniversaries, 2019
Last Updated on 5th January 2020Which anniversaries were marked in Britain in 2019? Here is a selection of noteworthy events and birthdays for you – each one was on someone’s calendar for 2019 – and each one offers a fascinating…
Armistice 1918
Last Updated on 26th May 2019For four years, the armies had slugged it out. Millions had died and most people had forgotten what started it all in the first place, or what they were actually fighting for. It took much,…
Anniversaries, 2018
Last Updated on 10th August 2019Which anniversaries were marked in Britain in 2018? The end of public hanging, votes for women, the first traffic light, the Roman invasion and Mick Jagger’s 75th birthday? Have a quick scan through the eclectic…
Anniversaries, 2017
Last Updated on 22nd January 2020Which anniversaries were marked in Britain in 2017? Have a quick scan through the eclectic list of events below, some of which may have slipped your mind; they were bound to have been on someone’s…
Shop till you drop – Britain since 1945
Last Updated on 31st July 2018The recent background to our consumer society The Britons that dusted themselves down and emerged on the winning side in 1945 were delirious with joy and relief that it was all over. There was a…
Britain and the Second World War 1939-45
Last Updated on 31st July 2018Britain’s role in the worst conflict the world has known, so far The Second World War was the most violent and globally shattering event in history. When it finally ended, at least 60 million people…
Could Britain have avoided war in 1939?
Last Updated on 31st July 2018The failure of appeasement This is a question often asked, but it’s academic – rather like saying, “If I’d left the house earlier, I wouldn’t have got caught in the rain.” Adolf Hitler’s Nazi party…
Britain in the 1920s and ’30s
Last Updated on 17th August 2018Inter-war interlude The writer and journalist Andrew Marr points out that, unlike other eras in the story of Britain, we have no name for the period between the first and second world wars. It’s as…
The legacy of 1914-1918
Last Updated on 31st July 2018The consequences of the First World War are still with us The First World War transformed the world forever. The conflict itself resonated through the remainder of the 20th century and set events in motion…
Britain and the First World War
Last Updated on 12th August 2018A summary of the conflict and Britain’s part in it The 1914-18 war was a global conflict. British forces, and those of her Imperial Dominions – particularly Australia, New Zealand, Canada, India and South Africa…