Issue 1

Articles from Issue 1 (December/January 2017) of BBC World Histories Magazine

Bemused families in Narodychi, Ukraine watch neighbours preparing to leave home shortly after the nuclear accident at Chernobyl, just 50 miles (80km) to the east. The Soviet state proposed to re-house rural inhabitants in badly affected districts, but many preferred to stay despite (or perhaps unaware of the danger of) the high radiation detected by Geiger counters. (Photo by Igor Kostin/Sygma via Getty Images)

Eyewitness account: the aftermath of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster

A British military post in a street in Dublin during the Easter Uprising, 1916. (Photo by ullstein picture via Getty Images)

The history of Ireland: 11 milestone moments

Happi arrival in Japan: The Beatles leave the plane wearing traditional happi coats given to them by the airline. Unfortunately their visit fell foul of cultural sensitivities, and political interests almost prevented their performances from going ahead. (Topfoto)

1966: the Beatles’ tumultuous world tour

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Bettany Hughes on the history of Istanbul

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The big question: Why did the west dominate history for so long?

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The Library In pictures: Queen Elizabeth II through the decades