The Curies Discover Radium
On December 20th, 1898, Pierre Curie scrawled the word 'radium' in his notebook as the name for a new element he and his wife Marie had discovered in their laboratory in Paris.
History Today
Louis Napoleon elected President of France
Prince Louis Napoleon was forty when he won the election for the French presidency on December 10th, 1848.
Sing Choirs of Angels
Ian Bradley reflects on the origins and development of Christmas carols.
The Commons’ People
Gordon Marsden on the origins and future of the project to chart the history of the Houses of Parliament.
Berlin and Cuba
Jim Broderick looks at the crisis management of two moments when the spectre of nuclear war shadowed relations between the superpowers.
Chimes of Big Ben Broadcast for the First Time
Big Ben was first heard over the radio at midnight on 31 December 1923, to announce the New Year.
Saving Private Ryan
Ian Bremner reviews the Steven Spielberg film about D-Day and after
Seeking the Slant
Marina Warner traces the origins of a lifetime’s curiosity in the power of stories.
The Survival of the Eastern Roman Empire
Stephen Williams and Gerard Friell analyse why Constantinople survived the barbarian onslaughts in the fifth century, whereas Rome fell.
Stately Treasures at the Tate
Richard Cavendish highlights a new exhibition at the Tate which celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Historic Houses Association.