James Brannan explores one of the favoured interrogation technique of law enforcement for centuries, torture. Kate Ayling explores Johannes Junius, Dr Jenny Spinks’ Undiscovered Hero, a German mayor who was convicted of witchcraft in 1628.
Keir Forde explores the topical subject of secret police and surveillance throughout history. Capital punishment has historically focussed on the criminal facing the death penalty. George Scrafton explores the intriguing world of the executioner.
Nearly two thousand years ago, Queen Boudicca of the Iceni tribe led an uprising against the oppressive Roman Empire, fighting for the freedom of her people, the British Celts. Although ultimately unsuccessful, her name is still remembered by many Britons for her might and bravery in facing one of the strongest Empires the world had […]
While Christmas has come to dominate December for most of us, the winter solstice is the really significant day of this month. Tom Oliver discovers the modern and ancient celebrations revolve around this event.
As department stores, supermarkets and other retailers grapple for the best Christmas advert, Alex Hulmes looks back to the original form of marketing at Christmas time: the shop window. 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 […]
Speaking in London in February, Somalia’s newly elected President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud noted that his victory marked “the first time in recent Somali history that a leadership that has not practiced violence has come to power”. He heads the first Somali government to be recognised by the USA in over twenty years, a breakthrough which […]
“From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the continent.” When Winston Churchill made this speech on 5 May 1946, he was speaking of the metaphorical division between Western Europe and the Eastern Bloc, and the tensions that would escalate into the Cold War. By 1961, this […]
Nominated for four Academy Awards at this year’s Oscars, The Help, based on a novel by Kathryn Stockett, is a story of the racism experienced by black maids working for white households in 1960s Jackson, Mississippi. Their plight takes place in the era of the Jim Crow laws and the subsequent push for Civil Rights, […]
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 […]
I’m still unsure myself what the title of my postgraduate dissertation will be – but, at the moment, the most enjoyable part of doing a Masters is having the complete freedom, if not infinite time, to decide. My undergraduate degree was English and History, so this year I was really drawn to research an area […]
Why are women always excluded from the retelling of historical events? This overlooked segment of the population plays a far greater role in rebellions and the resistance than we are led to believe. In the Algerian revolution women proved indispensable, holding greater importance to the resistance than their male counterparts. This article aims to rectify […]
We are looking for next year’s team. No specific experience is necessary, enthusiasm is. Being part of the Manchester Historian team will help to develop a variety of skills that will look great on your CV and be incredibly useful in job interviews. The roles available are: Editor (x2), Head of Design (x1), Design Team (x3), […]
The image of rulersis crucial for public support, but vital to the machinations of anybody who is politically inclined. Political symbols can be used to claim countries, as Edward III did in 1340 when he altered the Royal Arms of England. Or, political symbols can shepherd a nation through wartime, as Winston Churchill is said […]
Bernie Madoff created a Ponzi scheme which went unnoticed over 20 years and managed to secure $65bn of investment. How did this scheme work? Madoff set up an investment firm, which he would lure customers into entering, and promise a 10% return on their investment every year. He did not, however, invest this in stocks […]