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The American Civil War had a number of critical junctures in 1862. Here, Lloyd W. Klein considers the 1862 Peninsula Campaign and The Seven Days Battles. In part 1 of a 2-part series, he looks at the Peninsula Campaign, including the Battle of Fair Oaks/ Seven Pines.
Duels in the Middle Ages occurred on many occasions. While authorities did not usually like them, they took place for a number of reasons. Here. Jeb Smith offers an explanation on why they occurred – and what they avoided.
Vlad III: The Impaler Prince of Wallachia – Tyrant, Defender, or Monster? Vlad III, more infamously known as Vlad the Impaler or Vlad Țepeș, was one of the most feared rulers in Eastern Europe during the 15th century. Born between 1428/1431 in Transylvania into the noble House of Drăculești, a b
Forged letters, stolen jewels, a gullible cardinal, a cunning conwoman and an innocent queen left with a shattered reputation … the affair of the diamond necklace had it all. In fact, after Marie Antoinette’s guillotining, Napoleon pinned her downfall on the scandal declaring “perhaps the death of t
Lenin became the most influential person in what was o become the Soviet Union, following the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution. But, to what extent had his cult of personality been developed prior to his death in 1924? Edward Long considers this question.
King Cnut (Canute) was a monarch who ruled over one of the most expansive empires in early medieval Europe. A Danish prince who seized the throne of England in the early 11th century, Cnut eventually ruled over England, Denmark, Norway, and parts of what is now Sweden. His story is of military ambit
The recent collision of the Mexican Training Ship Cuauhtemoc into the Brooklyn Bridge was a tragedy – but it was also a historical collision. Michael Leibrandt explains.
If we look back to the era of kings and queens, there is a common figure lurking in the courtrooms. You’ll find them in taverns, traveling from town to town, or even as far back as Ancient Egypt. These motley characters go by many names, a buffoon, a fool, a jongleur, and most commonly, a jester
King of the West Saxons, 871 to 886 CE and King of the Anglo-Saxons from 886 CE until he died in 899 CE. Few rulers in English history have been so richly remembered and widely revered as King Alfred the Great, the 9th-century monarch of Wessex. Crowned during a time of dire crisis, Alfred fought
Deception has always been a part of military tactics, from the ancient Trojan Horse to the Gulf War, when Saddam Hussein positioned his troops along the Iraq-Kuwait border, claiming they were on a training mission as a cover-up for his true intentions of invading Kuwait. It was no different during t
There are many old tales that are still spoken of today. And one such tale in British history is Camelot and King Arthur. Here, Sam Davey considers the tale with a modern twist. Sam’s new book, The Chosen Queen! is here: Amazon US | Amazon UK
Dagobert I ( 603/605-639 CE), a prominent figure in the Merovingian dynasty, ruled as the King of Austrasia (623–634) and eventually as the King of all the Franks (629–639). His reign marked a period of relative unity and administrative consolidation, though it was often marred by political intrigue
When asked to picture Roman emperors, many may think of men dressed in glistening togas, perhaps those famous figures to which we owe the months July and August. Others may think of tyrannical figures like the emperor Nero, or the Stoic Marcus Aurelius. What these emperors have in common is the time
In the sun-scorched landscape of ancient Sicily, where Greek city-states flourished along the coastlines, one ruler's name echoed through time with a mix of awe and horror: Phalaris of Acragas (c. 570–554 BCE). Remembered by posterity as a brutal tyrant and the alleged sponsor of the inventor of one
The story of David Stirling is well known. He was one of the founders of the SAS, and he owned a wartime reputation as the Phantom Major which has been written about at length. To this day this legendary status persists although some writers now doubt the authenticity of some of those wartime claims
Major General James Harrison Wilson served as a Union officer whose impact was felt in various capacities, particularly as an engineer, staff officer, and later as a skilled cavalry leader during the latter stages of the Civil War. His contributions often go unnoticed, despite his involvement in sev
In the swirling mists of early 6th century BCE Greek history, few figures shine brightly and fall as dramatically as Polycrates of Samos. His life reads like a tragic play, a meteoric rise to power, an era of unprecedented maritime dominance, cultural patronage that rivalled Athens, and ultimately,
Michael Leibrandt has studied Philadelphia history nearly all of my life. Like many historians — some of the most intriguing storylines to research are the ones that we know the least about. When it comes to the very beginnings of America - much of that history is lost to us now and replaced only
The sun had barely risen over Paris on August 10, 1792, when the bells of revolution tolled once again. The Tuileries Palace, once a regal symbol of monarchical presence, was transformed into a battleground. Armed revolutionaries from the National Guard and radical fédérés stormed the palace, driven
The Battle of the Allia and the subsequent sacking of Rome in 390 BCE (or 387 BCE, according to some sources) remain among the most traumatic events in early Roman history. Rome's humiliating defeat at the hands of the Gallic Senones, led by Brennus, exposed its military weaknesses and left a lastin
In 1936, Germany and Japan created the Anti-Comintern Pact agreement. This was an alliance that promised that the two countries would commit themselves to contain the threat of communist expansion presented by the USSR, a country perceived by dictatorships and democracies alike as a major threat. Th
On March 25, 2021, the Modern Greek State celebrated the 200th anniversary of the War of Independence, which ultimately led to its establishment. It is thus an excellent opportunity to reconsider some of the main events of Greek history over these 200 years and how they shaped the character of moder
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World are often cloaked in the haze of legend and antiquity, but a strong argument can be made that these structures were indeed real and not mere myths. Terry Bailey explains.
The Battle of Shiloh (April 6–7, 1862) almost ended Generals Grant and Sherman's careers. Instead, it is considered their first great victory, a testament to their tenacity and determination. During the chaotic first day, several Union generals played critical roles in holding defensive positions
In 221 BCE, Qin Shi Huang, the ruler of the state of Qin, completed a monumental achievement in Chinese history: the unification of China. His conquest marked the end of the Warring States period, a chaotic era of fragmentation and incessant warfare between rival states. Through military conquest, p
The Battle of Shiloh (April 6–7, 1862) almost ended Generals Grant and Sherman's careers. Instead, it is considered their first great victory, a testament to their tenacity and determination. General PGT Beauregard planned a surprise advance and attack at Pittsburg Landing, on the west bank of th
The Origins of a Contested Legacy in Russia and Ukraine In Western Europe, we typically associate Vikings with the storm-tossed waters of the North Sea and the North Atlantic, the deep Scandinavian fjords and the attacks on the monasteries and settlements of northwestern Europe. This popular imag
The fall of the Late Bronze Age civilizations stands as one of the most significant and mysterious upheavals in ancient history. Once-thriving societies, known for their vast trade networks, monumental architecture, and bureaucratic governance, experienced a dramatic decline, leading to what is ofte
Here, Michael Leibrandt argues that the northeast area of the United States is quite old – and has some fascinating stories. He looks at the story of Centralia, Pennsylvania.
Being the wife of a wanted criminal in the 1920s was equal parts alluring and terrifying. You were constantly in danger, or at least your spouse was in danger of being shot on the street or “taken for a ride.” If you chose this life you were probably one of three kinds of woman. Someone who really h
The world of the Late Bronze Age was a dazzling network of powerful civilizations, bound together by trade, diplomacy, and shared technologies. As discussed in Part 1, the Hittites, Egyptians, Mycenaeans, and other major powers created an interconnected web of prosperity. Yet, by the end of the 12th
The Bronze Age, 3000 - 1200 BCE, marked a period of remarkable human progress. Across the Mediterranean and Near East, great civilizations flourished, building empires, advancing technology, and creating extensive trade networks. This era was defined by the widespread use of bronze, an alloy of copp
David Hamilton’s forthcoming book The Enigmatic Aviator: Charles Lindbergh Revisited finds earlier parallels with current events and looks at the ever-changing verdict on Lindbergh. Here, the author considers American isolationism in the context of his new book.
One of the most devastating conflicts in history, the Second World War, touched the lives of millions, its impact also played a huge role in the life of Oscar winning actress, and beloved style icon, Audrey Hepburn. Audrey’s early life was spent in Holland in the midst of the Nazi Occupation where s
The Crimean War (1853–1856) is often remembered for the infamous Charge of the Light Brigade, the pioneering efforts of Florence Nightingale, and the brutal conditions suffered by soldiers on all sides. However, its true significance extends far beyond these well-known episodes. As the final instalm
From the moment Germany sought an armistice in November 1918, total disbelief amongst the populace ensued at how the Imperial Reich could have been defeated. For many, the answer lay outside of military reality and was instead deeply rooted in conspiracy: that at the decisive hour, the German army h
Among the thousands of women who served as nurses in the American Civil War was a little-known writer from Massachusetts. Her name was Louisa May Alcott. Heather Voight explains.
As the guns fell silent in the Crimean Peninsula, the world stood on the brink of a new era. The Crimean War (1853–1856) not only reshaped the geopolitical landscape of Europe but also heralded sweeping changes in warfare, diplomacy, and society. This fifth instalment in the six-part series on the C
As the conclusion of World War II approaches its 80th anniversary, the memories of this historic event are at risk of fading into darkness. As the number of surviving veterans from the war diminishes, the responsibility of preserving their history falls to the next generations. Here, Dallas Dores
Most Americans are disgusted by politics. Asked in 2023 for one word to describe politics, they responded, “divisive,” “corrupt,” “polarized.” For many, polarization is the root of the problem. Writers lament polarization’s dysfunctional consequences, and a national organization