21st Century

Expert history articles and analysis about the global events of the 21st century…

Members of the National Front speak to the press in 1978. Chairman John Tyndall (second from left) was a neo-Nazi who later founded the British National Party (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)

From Mosley to the summer riots of 2024: the opportunistic evolution of Britain’s far right. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Michael Wood"The making of our new world began in China just over 40 years ago". This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Chris Packham & Peter Frankopan: can history help tackle the climate crisis?. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

History Behind the Headlines: political memoirs, fuel and access to nature. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Michael Wood on crafting a national narrative“We need a meaningful story for the new generation – our composite union”. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Former British prime minister Ramsay MacDonald sitting behind a desk

Where does the term ‘champagne socialist’ come from?

US President Joe Biden and Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump

Are older leaders better? Here’s what history tells us

Historical apologies & female leaders: History behind the headlines. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Alan Bates (played by Toby Jones) in the TV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office (Photo by ITV Plc)

The Post Office scandal: the history behind the British institution. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Ben Willbond as Henry VIII

“It’s rare that a television show actually changes people’s lives”: 15 years of Horrible Histories. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Jon working at the 12th-century Lanercost Priory in Cumbria, which was once home to an Augustinian order.

My life in historyGeospatial imaging analyst at Historic England. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Cinemas in New York City, circa 1970.

QuizHistory on the screen

History Behind the Headlines: ageing politicians & new names for the London Overground. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

The EU: from Maastricht to Brexit. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Howard with his dad in front of a blue plaque.

My life in historyBlue plaques historian at English Heritage. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

History Behind the Headlines: the post office, US elections & digitisation debate. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi is held aloft by his team after clinching a division title in 1960.

A brief history of American football and the Super Bowl

Men using a cannon

My life in historyArtillery gun captain in the Sealed Knot. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

How spies shaped the modern world. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Shelley Tobin

My life in historyCostume curator for the National Trust. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Woman in fur coat holding Christmas gifts.

QuizWhat should you gift the history lover in your life?

Netflix's The Crown: history and storytelling. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Elizabeth Debicki as Diana, Princess of Wales in 'The Crown' (left) and Princess Diana touring an

The Crown S6: the real history in the royal drama

Video podcastNetflix’s The Crown: history and storytelling. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

27 Christmas gift ideas for history lovers

History Behind the Headlines: Poverty, populism and The Crown. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Portrait of Jane Cowan.

My life in historyHead of conservation at Lincoln Cathedral. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

David Tennant returns as the Doctor

Ranked: the best historical episodes of Doctor Who

Charles, Will and Harry from 'The Crown' compared to a real picture of Charles and William.

The Crown season 6 cast vs their real-life counterparts

A black and white photo of the American actress Janet Leigh, with a shadow of a chair on the wall behind her. She is looking forwards and screaming in shock.

Ninety years of horror: nine films that reflect society’s changing anxieties. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.