20th Century

Nikita Khrushchev visits President of Egypt Gamal Abdel Nasser in 1964

Snuffed out democracies and poisoned toothpaste: how the Cold War wreaked havoc in post-colonial Africa

The cast of Downton Abbey in front of Highclere Castle. (Image by Alamy)

The upstairs/downstairs world of Downton Abbey: how true to life is it?

Brazilian peacekeepers under UN command in Haiti during general election 2006

When should countries intervene in others’ affairs?

Paul Kenyon charts the turbulent story of modern Romania, and its colourful, chaotic and often corrupt leaders. (Image by Getty Images)

Monarchs, fascists & communists: Romania’s modern history

Will Pooley delves into the strange and surprising history of witchcraft beliefs in France, from the Revolution to the Second World War. (Image by Getty Images)

Bewitched cars & mail-order charms: witchcraft in modern France

A panel of eyewitnesses recall their memories of the divided city and the dramatic events of November 1989. (Image by Getty Images)

Witnesses to the Berlin Wall

The British Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on the day of George VI's coronation

Britain’s May Queen: your guide to Queen Mary of Teck

Colin Jones tells the story of Maximilien Robespierre’s fall from power – a dramatic 24 hours that ended with the revolutionary titan facing the guillotine. (Image from Getty Images)

Robespierre’s brutal downfall

Teachers Richard Kennett and Tom Allen discuss how they have worked with six other teachers to create a new textbook on Bristol and the transatlantic slave trade. (Image by Getty Images)

How should we teach the slave trade?

Eugene Rogan answers listener questions on one of history’s most powerful and long lasting empires. (Image from Getty Images)

First World War

The Ottoman empire: everything you wanted to know

Sue Pritchard, curator of a new exhibition of royal portraits at the National Maritime Museum, discusses how wigs were used to convey royal power. (Image from Getty Images)

Portraits, power and royal wigs

Lucy Bland discusses the childhood experiences of babies fathered by African-American GIs stationed in Britain during the Second World War. (Image from Getty Images)

Second World War

Wartime Britain’s mixed-race babies

John Zubryzcki shares the story of the party-loving royals of the House of Jaipur, who turned to politics following Indian independence. (Image from Getty Images)

The transformation of India’s glamorous golden couple

Women munition workers stacking a reserve of shell castings during WWI

First World War

Young guns: the women and children of WW1 munitions factories

A composite of characters from 21st century period drama

What’s next for period drama?