21st Century

Expert history articles and analysis about the global events of the 21st century…

Ian Kershaw on the Second World War. (Image by Fran Monks for BBC History Magazine)

Editor’s pick: Ian Kershaw on postwar Europe

Robert Tombs on Brexit's long historical roots. (Image by Getty Images)

Brexit’s long historical roots

Professor Robert Tombs, Fellow of French history at St John's College

“Both sides of the Brexit debate have got things wrong about our history”: Robert Tombs on Britain’s complex relationship with Europe

Gary Oldman plays Winston Churchill in the 2018 Oscar winner 'Darkest Hour'.

Think piece Our dangerous devotion to the Second World War

Rege-Jean Page as Simon Basset and Phoebe Dynevor as Daphne Bridgerton

Bridgerton: “A period drama like no other”

Hannah Greig, historian and etiquette advisor to new Netflix show Bridgerton, joins us to talk about the historical detail that can be found in the drama. (Image courtesy Netflix)

Bridgerton: ripping up the rulebook on Regency romance

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2020: the historians’ verdict

Kerri Greenidge, Tom Holland, Suzannah Lipscomb and Michael Wood debate the historical context of 2020

2020: The historians’ verdict

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In pictures: 150 years of the British Red Cross

Prince Charles in 1969

In profile: Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales

The British royal family at the Queen's annual birthday parade 2019

A brief guide to the British royal family, by The Crown’s historian Robert Lacey

Princess Anne and Queen Elizabeth II

In profile: Princess Anne, daughter of Queen Elizabeth II

Sara Forbes Bonetta (seated besides her husband James Davies was brought to England in the late 1840s by a Navy captain. Presented to Queen Victoria, she impressed the monarch so much that Victoria became her godmother

Black History Month: what is it, historians on its relevance, plus 6 articles you should read

Covid-19 saw the UK’s universities, such as the University of Glasgow (above), cancel in-person teaching. The logistics of teaching and studying during the pandemic are proving complex. (Photo by Dreamstime)

How Covid-19 is forcing universities to change

If you’re interested in learning about history at home, there are plenty of short courses available online on a variety of topics. (Photo by Getty Images)

How to become a history student at home