Political

The first-ever parliament of the Sudan was opened by the British governor-general, Sir Robert Howe, on January 1st, 1954.

Joshua Shotton defends a much-maligned statesman.

Orla Finnegan and Ian Cawood show that the reasons for Parnell’s fall in 1890 are not as straightforward as they may appear at first sight.

Robert Pearce outlines the extraordinary career of trade union leader-turned-politician J.H. Thomas.

Geoffrey Roberts assesses Stalin’s changing reputation, 50 years after his death.

Retha Warnicke examines the tumultuous career of Mary, Queen of Scots, before her long incarceration by her cousin Elizabeth I of England.

Merle Ricklefs seeks clues for the future of the troubled archipelago nation in its distant past.

Stalin's security chief Lavrenti Beria was executed on December 23rd, 1953.

The treaty to bring parts of present-day Arizona and New Mexico into the United States was signed on December 30th, 1853.

Colin Cook looks at the political, philosophical and cultural impact of the idea of aviation in the first half of the 20th century.