Family and parenting

Elizabeth II poses for a portrait in Buckingham Palace in December 1958

Queen Elizabeth II 50+ facts about her life and reign

An illustration depicting the Great Fire of London.

Your guide to the Great Fire of London, plus 10 surprising facts

A portrait of King Henry VIII

Henry VIII The life and rule of the Tudor king, plus 5 surprising facts

A fierce clash between colonists and British troops in Boston on 5 March 1770

The American Revolution: your guide to the 18th-century war of independence

The Resurrection of Jesus

Eggs, bunnies and Jesus Christ: the history and origins of Easter

St Patick depicted in a 13th-century folio

The history of St Patrick’s Day traditions – and the importance of the colour green

Black and white photo of a group of women marching while holding a sign saying 'International Women's Day'

A brief history of International Women’s Day: what is it and why do we celebrate it?

Pancake day celebrations

The history of Shrove Tuesday: why do we eat pancakes?

An aerial photo of Stonehenge

Your guide to Stonehenge, plus 12 fascinating facts you might not know

(Illustration by Glen McBeth for BBC History Magazine)

Q&A What is the origin and meaning of the pirate expression ‘shiver me timbers’?

Tom Smith's Surprise Cosaques, Christmas Crackers 1878. (Image by Getty)

The history of Christmas crackers

The USS West Virginia burns at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941

Second World War

What if… Japan hadn't attacked Pearl Harbor

The destroyer USS Shaw explodes in a massive fireball at Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941. The attack led almost immediately to Germany declaring war on America, and so brought Stalin an unexpected ally of colossal potential power, says Laurence Rees. (Bettmann/Getty Images)

Second World War

Opinion Why December 1941 was the most important month of WW2

A man goes into a village at night on the eve of Samhain

What is the history behind the Celtic festival of Samhain and what does it have to do with Halloween?

A portrait of Charles II sitting on a throne

Your guide to King Charles II, the ‘merry monarch’