History Today

Started in 1947, to grow peanuts in Tanganyika as a contribution to both the African and British economies, the Groundnuts Scheme was abandoned four years later on January 9th, 1951.

The Prussian Kingdom was founded on January 18th, 1701, when the Elector Frederick III had himself crowned Frederick I at Konigsberg.

Anthony Bryer takes a Byzantine view of time and identity.

Tony Aldous looks at a new history of British theatres

Simon Thurley, Director of the Museum of London, describes the discovery at the bottom of his garden that changed his life.

A reflection of the life and work of the leading historian of British railways, who died in September 2000

The most gifted, vivid and extraordinary of the medieval Holy Roman Emperors died on December 13th, 1250.

The brilliant inventor and engineer William George Armstrong died on December 27th, 1900, aged ninety.

Joseph Needham, one of the twentieth century’s most remarkable scholars, was born on December 9th, 1900.