History
Pope Benedict XVI: First Pope to Resign in 600 Years
Pope Benedict XVI has announced his resignation. He’s the first Pope to quit in almost 600 years. Anchor Marco Werman gets context from Father James Bretzke, professor of moral theology at Boston College.
Amina Cachalia, Veteran of South Africa’s Freedom Struggle, Dies at 82
Amina Cachalia, who’s died in Johannesberg at the age of 82, was a veteran of South Africa’s struggle against apartheid and a close friend to Nelson Mandela for more than sixty years. The World’s Alex Gallafent met her in 2011.
How War Should Be
Across the world, a sub-set of men will settle down this week to watch clips or perhaps the whole of the movie, “Zulu,” pegged to the anniversary of a battle long ago, Jan 22-23, 1879 [...]
British Soldiers, American War – Book Review
War is full of dirty little secrets. The World’s History Editor, Chris Woolf reviews “British Soldiers, American War: Voices of the American Revolution.”
50 Years Élysée Treaty: A Cornerstone of Peace in Europe
France and Germany are celebrating the anniversary of a friendship treaty signed by Charles de Gaulle and Konrad Adenauer on January 22nd, 1963. It was concluded following three devastating military conflicts [...]
British Soldiers of the American Revolution
The common British soldier of the American Revolution has a certain image in the popular imagination. The scum of the earth, pressed into service as an alternative to jail or the gallows, then disciplined brutally with constant floggings to become a mindless killing machine. But recent research is telling quite a different story.
Australia’s, and America’s, Convict Pioneers
January 18th is the day the first European settlers arrived in Australia, 225 years ago. They were convicts, deported from Britain. You may be surprised to hear this was not a new practice for the Brits.
Never Underestimate Your Enemy: General Washington at Princeton
Never underestimate your enemy. On January 3rd 1777, General George Washington made a surprise attack on Princeton, New Jersey [...]
Off With His Head! DNA Connects Louis XVI to Gruesome Relic
DNA evidence has connected a gruesome relic to the execution of the French King, Louis XVI, 1793. The report provokes thoughts on the nature of relics. And power.
The Ghosts of History
Dutch historical consultant Jo Hedwig Teeuwisse found some old WWII era negatives at an Amsterdam flea market a few years ago. She decided to mash up the old photos with their present day locations. The result is a project called Ghosts of History.
Historic Handwritten Letters Reveal The Past
An impressive collection of historic letters from international artists, scientists, and writers is being put up for auction. The collection includes a letter that Dutch artist Vincent Van Goph sent to the owner of a cafe in southern France.
Britain Named Most Prolific Invader
A new book claims that Britain has invaded more countries than any other. In fact, according to “All the Countries We’ve Ever Invaded: And the Few We Never Got Round To”, by Stuart Laycock, there are only 22 nations which never suffered British attack. Anchor Aaron Schachter discusses the claim with the World’s News Editor and resident history buff, Chris Woolf.
‘Horses and Bayonets’
The most tweeted line of the debate was President Obama’s zinger that the military has fewer horses and bayonets as well as fewer ships than it did in 1916. So where are bayonets from? Anchor Marco Werman gets the answer, plus the history of bayonets and horses in the military, from The World’s resident military history buff, Chris Woolf.
The Hidden History of Mexican Migrants
We may be wrapping up the largest immigration wave in modern times: 12 million Mexican migrants have come to the US over the past four decades, many illegally and out of sight. One professor is trying to collect and preserve the artifacts of this hidden migration before the clues completely disappear.
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