‘What is the city but the people?’ This was the opening line of the “City Speaks” movie that I went to see as part of the Manchester Histories Festival. It is Manchester’s civic film from 1947 and describes the rich history of Manchester both industrially and socially. Manchester was described as being the ‘cradle of […]
Solstice occurs in June and December, and marks the longest and shortest days of the year, as well as the change of season. It is commonly associated with the ancient European Druids, but many global cultures also hold these times of year as periods of spirituality. ‘Solstice’ means ‘sun stands still’, and hence it has […]
This article will argue that although there were many reasons for the Iranian Revolution, the main cause was fundamentally Shi’ite religion and the rise of Ayatollah Khomeini in sustaining and succeeding with the revolution. There are other causes to consider when analysing the revolution. By the late 1970s, monarchies were fading around Europe and the […]
In Brazil, LGBTQ+ movements work to resist the discrimination experienced by our community. Annual reviews reveal a high and constant level of violence and lethal attacks, particularly targeted towards trans people. Although social movements fight back against the violence, the focus here is to consider the impact of queering educational policies in Brazil during past […]
Anyone who has kept up with decolonial action will know that museums are one of the key sectors expected to undertake decolonisation, with Eurocentric narratives and colonised or unethically acquired objects taking centre stage in museums throughout the world. The original indigenous contexts, and sometimes even the consent of the objects’ country of origin, have […]
Haddon Sundblom was the artist who created the iconic Coca Cola Santa Claus in 1931. Inspired by Dr Peter Yeadle’s third year module, Popular Imperialism and Popular Culture, Ben Beach explores the man who, for many, defined early twentieth century advertising illustration. The commercialisation of Christmas is often lamented as one of the great tragedies […]
Other than by the Olympians of Greece, sport has not been influenced and organised so effectively before or since the Victorians. Take a selection of sports known and cultivated by the British. I suppose football is on your list, as is rugby and probably tennis and cricket too. The Victorians had a say in all […]
James Green looks at how bagels and other Jewish baking became staples in the West. In light of the rise and then fall of the police’s popularity surrounding the “Plebgate” scandal, Caroline Bishop investigates the police’s history as public heroes and villains. The annual price hike from energy companies has just been announced to widespread […]
The Mau Mau uprising was a key part of a series of revolts from colonial rule that engulfed Africa during the 1950’s and 1960’s. The revolt took place in Kenya from 1952 to 1960 and was undertaken by the ethnic majority of Kikuyus in protest of British rule. The Mau Mau’s significance can be deemed […]
“In this movement which is still struggling to free our people from the bonds of economic slavery, I am only one amongst hundreds of my generation. We were born into an unjust system; we are not prepared to grow old in it.” Bernadette Devlin wrote this as part of the foreword for her autobiography, published […]
At the moment everyone speaks of May 7th 2015 as an important day in British Politics, but what about January 20th 1265? A little bit lesser known but vastly more important. More important than the signing of the Magna Carta and the end of the English Civil War but not quite as important as the […]
To those within the academic sphere, it seems that classical mythology has seen a dramatic rise in popularity amongst the general public, and has never been more influential. Present in almost every form of media, from instagram accounts to video games, we are constantly surrounded by references to the ancient world. But what, if anything, […]
On November 13th 2015, the City of Lights became dark. Awash with grief, shock and terror, the world watched in horror as Paris fell victim to its worst attack since World War II. In a meticulously coordinated serious of terrorist attacks, the capital of France witnessed the death of 130 people at the hands of […]
We are all familiar with the story behind the outbreak of the First World War; what is less familiar is the response of the Dominions, India and other imperial colonies. The declaration of war obligated the Dominions to rally to the defence of the mother country. The Dominions of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa […]