Magic and Meaning on the Frozen Thames
London's winters used to colder—and a bit more magical, thanks to chilly conditions on the Thames River. "Frost fairs" were popular public celebrations.
How the Netherlands Used Literature to Defy the Nazis
A new theory sheds light not only on the fate of the Franks, but on the extent of Dutch resistance to the Nazis.
A Short History of Paris for Travelers
Read up on some of the fascinating history of the City of Lights before you head off on your next romantic vacation.
Why Did Fidel Castro Infuriate the U.S. So Much?
Fidel Castro, the Cuban revolutionary and leader who dominated his small island nation's history for half a century, is dead at 90.
The Weimar Republic: Gone But Not Forgotten
The Weimar Republic is famous for failing, but considering its turmoil and crisis, it's surprising how long it actually lasted.
How A Gambling Duchess Changed British Politics
Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, won and lost fortunes, giving into a compulsion that pitted her against some of society’s most notorious ne’er-do-wells.
Did Materialism Lead to the Death of a Tudor Queen?
The very things that made Catherine Howard's time as Henry VIII's queen so pleasant became a cudgel with which to beat her.
Archiving the Inventor of the Archive
Scholarship traces the birth of the archive to natural philosophers like John Aubrey.
The Battle of Hastings and the Ongoing Fight for Britain
Nine hundred and fifty years ago, Normans sailed across the English Channel, landing on England on September 27, 1066. The Norman Conquest had begun.
The Power of Anecdotes in Politics
The Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev famously pounded his shoe at a United Nations meeting in 1960. Anecdotes of erratic behavior like this are unsettling.