Lafcadio Hearn, a travel writer who lived in Japan from 1890 until his death, like many other Western travellers, remarked on the curious spectacles of Japanese culture and tradition which had been cut off from the outside world for over 200 years. What is embedded, somewhat unknowingly, is a narrative of intense social and religious […]
On the 3rd of October The University of Manchester Museum opened its doors to launch the new exhibition, Breed: The British and Their Dogs. I anticipated a parade of different canine companions by their doting owners. However, it turned out to be an extremely fascinating exhibition on how dogs have been used to depict British […]
As the woman who brought us both Christmas trees and Christmas crackers, Victoria had more of an effect on your 25th December than you might imagine. Becky Hennell-Smith investigates Victoria’s fascination with Christmas celebrations, as well as the popularity that gave rise to the widespread adoption of these new traditions. On the 3rd of October […]
‘[Halloween] is thought to be a night when witches, devils, and other mischief-making beings are abroad on their baneful midnight errands; particularly those aerial people, the fairies, are said on that night to hold a grand anniversary.’ Robert Burns, Halloween, 1785 Although the entomology behind the word ‘Halloween’ is Christian – ‘quite literally, the popular […]
On August 31 1997, Diana, thePrincess of Wales, Dodi Fayed and the driver Henri Paul, were killed in a tragic car crash that shocked the world. It is said that Diana is one of the most photographed women in history. It is through these glimpses of her life that the world came to know her. […]
The war in East-Africa was a war on far away soil. The large distance to Europe made communications hard so there was no clear direction or aim. Colonial rulers largely had to improvise their actions of war. Local troops could not expect any reinforcements from the motherland, as the European fronts claimed most of the […]
It’s hard not to focus on all the negativity in the news and media today. But in times like these, sport has the ability to lift our spirits. If your favourite team experiences success, that energy washes off onto you. Hopefully, this article will inspire a greater appreciation of one of the biggest global sports. […]
Students often complain about the Manchester weather, but in June 1919 one of our alumni, Sir Arthur Whitten Brown, braved freezing temperatures and lashing sleet, hail and rain to do what was necessary. If this sounds like your morning commute to lectures, bear in mind that Brown was somewhere over the Atlantic, clinging unprotected to […]
Friedrich Engels, by virtue of a statue in Deansgate, is ingrained in the heart of the city of Manchester. But how did a German man, who co-wrote the communist manifesto, become a Mancunian icon? What does Manchester owe to him?
When talking about war between Britain and the USA, most people think of the American War of Independence at the end of the eighteenth century. Many are not aware that Britain and the USAwent to war just over thirty years later in what would simply become known as the War of 1812. Battle of Queenston […]
Your monthly careers update! It’s nearly Christmas and the winter break is the perfect time to be thinking a little about careers. With 2016 fast approaching, mapping where you might want to be in years to come is a great idea and there is plenty of help available to help you do just that. The […]
Great strides have been made towards stronger representations of queerness both in law and in the media, yet further work is needed to achieve a more intersectional approach. Whilst television programmes like Heartstopper are fantastic, and should be celebrated for their ability to show queer joy, they point towards a trend of representing dominant white […]
On 4th July 1879, the British Empire fought the Zulu’s at the Battle of Ulundi, the last major battle of the Anglo-Zulu war; as part of their imperial expansion campaign in South Africa.They imagined a confederation of states in South Africa, where cheap black labour could be exploited for British sugar plantations and minesfor diamonds […]
Welcome to the new look Manchester Historian! Issue 3 has seen an expansion in the production team so we are finishing the year bigger and better than ever. We’re so grateful for the work everyone has put into the paper and we hope you all enjoy reading this as a break from all your essays!