April 2011

Thomas E Sebrell II takes a look at how the arrival of a formidable new weapon prevented decisive British intervention in the American Civil War.

Phil Withington explains how the current call for a Big Society echoes that created in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, in the 16th century.

To coincide with a new BBC Two series, Filthy Cities, presenter Dan Snow reveals medieval London’s stinkiest stinks.

The image of Britain in 1940 as a spirited underdog facing the German goliath
is misleading. That’s the view of David Edgerton, who argues that Winston Churchill had ample resources to defeat Hitler – and fully expected to do so.

Throughout history, a head of hair has always revealed many of its owners’ most intimate secrets, as Lucy Worsley investigates.

Chris Evans explores the battle between British entrepreneurs and abolitionists over the use of African slaves in Cuban and Brazilian mines – long after the Abolition Act of 1833.

Robyn Young continues our new holiday series by paying a visit to a destination from the past with tips on when to go, what to take and where to visit – this month it's Acre AD 1272.

Dominic Sandbrook nominates 28 October 1971 – the date of the historic debate on whether Britain should join the European Community – as a big day in history.