Military history

Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival (far right) marches to the Japanese camp to surrender Singapore. (Photo by The Asahi Shimbun Premium via Getty Images)

Second World War

VJ Day: turning the tide in the east

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

Following the horrors of the First World War, people around the world set out to create “perfect” societies – with mixed results. Anna Neima charts their efforts. (Image from Getty Images)

First World War

Building utopia after WW1

Portrait of Saladin (1560) by Cristofano Dell Altissimo.

Why does Saladin have such an enduring reputation?

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

Scientists Frederic Joliot-Curie and his wife, Irene, at work in their Paris laboratory in December 1932. The couple were among a wide-ranging group of scientists whose work paved the way for the atomic bomb. (Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)

Second World War

Hiroshima: the race to the atomic bomb

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

Ronald Hutton discusses Oliver Cromwell’s early life and career, exploring the brilliance and cruelty of the future Lord Protector. (Image by Getty Images)

Oliver Cromwell’s remarkable rise to power

In the 16th century, Antwerp was a global centre of trade, talked about around the world. Michael Pye considers its rise and bloody fall. (Image from Getty Images)

Antwerp: city of innovation & intrigue

With the Olympics underway in Tokyo, Chris Harding looks back at 1964 – the last time Japan hosted the competition. (Image by Getty Images)

How the 1964 Tokyo Olympics redefined Japan

Britain & France: enemies or economic partners?

Britain & France: enemies or economic partners?

Antony and Cleopatra meet for the first time

What if... Antony and Cleopatra had won the battle of Actium?

The vanquishers of the Bastille before the Hôtel de Ville, 14 July 1789. Found in the Collection of Petit Palais, Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris. (Photo by Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images)

What triggered the French Revolution?

The battle of the Boyne

The battle of the Boyne: what happened at the July 1690 clash and why is it commemorated on ‘the Twelfth’?

An illustration of Elizabeth of York and Henry VII.

Did the Tudors invent the Wars of the Roses?