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HistoryExtra @HistoryExtra

Posts from HistoryExtra, Britain’s bestselling history magazine and award-winning podcast.

Joined March 2009
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On the podcast | In the final episode of our Sunday Series about Cleopatra, Islam Issa discusses the ancient queen's death – and her long cultural afterlife 🎧 Listen now ad-free on the HistoryExtra app, or wherever you get your podcasts
A person with elaborate braided hair and dramatic eye makeup resembling ancient Egyptian style is shown. Text reads "The World of Cleopatra, Episode Four".

ALT A person with elaborate braided hair and dramatic eye makeup resembling ancient Egyptian style is shown. Text reads "The World of Cleopatra, Episode Four".
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#OnThisDay in 1940, German troops entered an undefended Paris. They marched past the Arc de Triomphe on what was the 140th anniversary of Napoleon’s decisive victory over the Austrians at the battle of Marengo. 📸 Getty
Historical photograph of soldiers on horseback riding down a broad, tree-lined avenue. The Arc de Triomphe is visible in the background. A large group of soldiers is proceeding along the road, with some onlookers at the sides.

ALT Historical photograph of soldiers on horseback riding down a broad, tree-lined avenue. The Arc de Triomphe is visible in the background. A large group of soldiers is proceeding along the road, with some onlookers at the sides.

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#OnThisDay in 1842, Queen Victoria made her first journey by train. She travelled with her husband in a special royal carriage on the Great Western Railway between Slough and Bishop's Bridge. 📸 Getty
Victorian-era train carriage interior with ornate furnishings, upholstered sofas, intricate woodwork, and decorative lamps. The ceiling features elaborate patterns, and large windows are adorned with draped curtains.

ALT Victorian-era train carriage interior with ornate furnishings, upholstered sofas, intricate woodwork, and decorative lamps. The ceiling features elaborate patterns, and large windows are adorned with draped curtains.

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On the podcast | Rory Cormac tells the story of the mavericks who ran a propaganda campaign to disrupt and discredit Britain's Cold War adversaries 🎧 Listen now ad-free on the HistoryExtra app, or wherever you get your podcasts
This image shows a person seated in front of a vintage microphone, holding papers. The HistoryExtra Podcast logo is visible in the corner.

ALT This image shows a person seated in front of a vintage microphone, holding papers. The HistoryExtra Podcast logo is visible in the corner.
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#OnThisDay in 1942, Anne Frank was given a diary by her parents. She had seen the book in a shop a few days earlier and had pointed it out to her father. When Anne and her Jewish family went into hiding a month later, Anne used the diary to record their experiences. 📸 Getty
A dimly lit desk features an open diary with handwritten notes and small pasted images. Above, a shelf holds several books, including "Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl." A vintage lamp illuminates the scene.

ALT A dimly lit desk features an open diary with handwritten notes and small pasted images. Above, a shelf holds several books, including "Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl." A vintage lamp illuminates the scene.
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#OnThisDay in 1970, Alexander Kerensky, leader of the Russian provisional government in 1917, died in exile. The Russian orthodox church refused to grant him burial so he was buried in a non-denominational cemetery at Putney Vale, London. 📸 Getty
A person in formal attire stands next to a vintage car holding a cane, with buildings and a fence in the background.

ALT A person in formal attire stands next to a vintage car holding a cane, with buildings and a fence in the background.
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HistoryExtra retweeted
Edward Abel Smith@EdwardAbelSmith
Jun 10
Delighted to have spoken on @HistoryExtra about A Hateful Decision
HistoryExtra@HistoryExtra
Jun 10
On the podcast | Edward Abel Smith considers whether the devastating Royal Navy attack on the French fleet in the summer of 1940 was really justified 🎧 Listen now ad-free on the HistoryExtra app, or wherever you get your podcasts
Image of Winston Churchill. HistoryExtra podcast logo is in the corner.

ALT Image of Winston Churchill. HistoryExtra podcast logo is in the corner.
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On the podcast | Edward Abel Smith considers whether the devastating Royal Navy attack on the French fleet in the summer of 1940 was really justified 🎧 Listen now ad-free on the HistoryExtra app, or wherever you get your podcasts
Image of Winston Churchill. HistoryExtra podcast logo is in the corner.

ALT Image of Winston Churchill. HistoryExtra podcast logo is in the corner.

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On the podcast | Michael Hall reveals the life of Henry Paget, 5th Marquess of Anglesey, from the rumours around his birth to his early death as theatrical public figure 🎧 Listen now ad-free on the HistoryExtra app, or wherever you get your podcasts
A stylized illustrated image of a person dressed in ornate historical attire with a headdress. The background features the text "Life of the Week" alongside the logo for the HistoryExtra Podcast, with abstract vertical color bands in blue and yellow tones.

ALT A stylized illustrated image of a person dressed in ornate historical attire with a headdress. The background features the text "Life of the Week" alongside the logo for the HistoryExtra Podcast, with abstract vertical color bands in blue and yellow tones.
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#OnThisDay in 1934, the world’s most famous duck, Donald, made his first appearance in the short Walt Disney cartoon 'The Wise Little Hen'. The cartoon was based on 'The Little Red Hen' fairy tale. 📸 Getty
A person smiling while sitting on a bench outdoors, holding a bottle of Coca-Cola. Next to them is a large Donald Duck figure also holding a Coke bottle.

ALT A person smiling while sitting on a bench outdoors, holding a bottle of Coca-Cola. Next to them is a large Donald Duck figure also holding a Coke bottle.

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On the podcast | Kate Lister guides us through the long history of female pleasure, covering everything from ancient sex goddesses to the advent of modern contraception 🎧 Listen now ad-free on the HistoryExtra app, or wherever you get your podcasts
An ancient sculpture depicting Venus, Cupid, and Pan: Venus stands gracefully, holding a playful Cupid, while Pan gazes up with a playful expression. The HistoryExtra Podcast logo is visible in the top left corner.

ALT An ancient sculpture depicting Venus, Cupid, and Pan: Venus stands gracefully, holding a playful Cupid, while Pan gazes up with a playful expression. The HistoryExtra Podcast logo is visible in the top left corner.
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#OnThisDay in 1929, Margaret Bondfield became Britain's first female cabinet minister. The former shop worker was appointed as Minister of Labour in Ramsay MacDonald’s second Labour government. 📸 Getty
A group of well-dressed individuals stands outside, with one person in the front appearing to speak. They are surrounded by people wearing suits. The setting appears formal and historical.

ALT A group of well-dressed individuals stands outside, with one person in the front appearing to speak. They are surrounded by people wearing suits. The setting appears formal and historical.
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On the podcast | In the third episode of our Sunday Series about Cleopatra, Islam Issa explores how the ancient queen used religion, image management and sheer cunning to become a formidable leader 🎧 Listen now ad-free on the HistoryExtra app, or wherever you get your podcasts
An ancient coin featuring a profile of a person's face, likely depicting a historical figure. The image is overlaid with text reading "The World of Cleopatra" and "Episode Three."

ALT An ancient coin featuring a profile of a person's face, likely depicting a historical figure. The image is overlaid with text reading "The World of Cleopatra" and "Episode Three."

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#OnThisDay in 1811, Scottish doctor James Young Simpson was born in Bathgate, West Lothian. Simpson went on to discover the anaesthetic qualities of chloroform, which he first used to ease the pain of childbirth. 📸 Getty
An individual dressed in 19th-century attire leans on an ornate chair with a thoughtful expression. A table with stacked books is beside them, and a curtain hangs in the background.

ALT An individual dressed in 19th-century attire leans on an ornate chair with a thoughtful expression. A table with stacked books is beside them, and a curtain hangs in the background.
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#OnThisDay in 1921, Southwark Bridge was opened to traffic by King George V and Queen Mary. Designed by Edward George and Basil Mott, it was built to replace John Rennie’s iron bridge, which had been completed in 1819. 📸 Getty
A black and white photo of a busy city street with a traffic jam. Numerous cars are lined up, and a double-decker bus is visible in the middle. Two individuals in suits and hats are walking along the sidewalk. The surrounding buildings exhibit classic mid-20th century architecture.

ALT A black and white photo of a busy city street with a traffic jam. Numerous cars are lined up, and a double-decker bus is visible in the middle. Two individuals in suits and hats are walking along the sidewalk. The surrounding buildings exhibit classic mid-20th century architecture.
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#OnThisDay in 1981, the US Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report stated that five men in California had a rare form of pneumonia that was found in patients with weakened immune systems. They turned out to be the first recognised cases of AIDS. 📸 Getty
A group of individuals is marching in a parade, holding a large banner that reads "People with AIDS Alliance." A crowd lines the street, and San Francisco's architecture is visible in the background.

ALT A group of individuals is marching in a parade, holding a large banner that reads "People with AIDS Alliance." A crowd lines the street, and San Francisco's architecture is visible in the background.
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On the podcast | Meghan Kobza draws back the curtain to reveal the glittering world of the Georgian masquerade — from outrageous outfits to serious scandals 🎧 Listen now ad-free on the HistoryExtra app, or wherever you get your podcasts
A collage-style image featuring intricate historical illustrations. It includes a drawing of a person with detailed hair, a fan with artistic designs, and a theatrical mask. The background shows a scene with numerous figures in period costumes.

ALT A collage-style image featuring intricate historical illustrations. It includes a drawing of a person with detailed hair, a fan with artistic designs, and a theatrical mask. The background shows a scene with numerous figures in period costumes.

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#OnThisDay in 1942, the battle of Midway began. Despite being outnumbered, the US fleet inflicted a major defeat on a Japanese naval force, destroying four of their aircraft carriers. 📸 Getty
A historical photograph shows the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier at sea amid bursts of anti-aircraft fire during World War II. The sky is dotted with dark explosions, and the ocean is calm beneath the action.

ALT A historical photograph shows the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier at sea amid bursts of anti-aircraft fire during World War II. The sky is dotted with dark explosions, and the ocean is calm beneath the action.
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On the podcast | Katja Hoyer explores how Weimar, the nexus of Germany's great social democratic experiment, succumbed to Nazism 🎧 Listen now ad-free on the HistoryExtra app, or wherever you get your podcasts
Black and white image of men in uniform, they hold a Nazi flag.

ALT Black and white image of men in uniform, they hold a Nazi flag.
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#OnThisDay in 1937, Edward, Duke of Windsor (and former King Edward VIII) married American socialite Wallis Simpson, six months after had abdicated the British throne to be with her. 📸 Getty
Wallis Simpson and Edward, Duke of Windsor, stand beside each other in a black and white phototgraph.

ALT Wallis Simpson and Edward, Duke of Windsor, stand beside each other in a black and white phototgraph.

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