Radical History Blog

Born on this day in 1908, Simone de Beauvoir was one of the great thinkers of the twentieth century “One’s life has value so long as one attributes value to the life of others, by means of love, friendship, indignation, compassion.” Simone de Beauvoir was many things.

Our historian Pete reflects on the passage of time and the possibility of radical progress in 2023 And so, another year comes to a close. 2022 becomes 2023. New Year’s Eve always seems to me a good time to think about… time.

On this day in 1956, Nelson Mandela and 152 other activists were put on trial in Johannesburg On 11 February 1990, walked free from Victor Verster prison in the Western Cape.

Born on this day in 1775, Jane Austen challenged the sexism of her time - and made a living in the process “I hate to hear you talk about all women as if they were fine ladies instead of rational creatures.

In December 1890, U.S. soldiers committed one of the worst massacres in American history... “Many innocent women and children who knew no wrong died here.” The Wounded Knee Monument In 1890, just a few days after Christmas, soldiers of the U.S.

Could the biggest capitalist day of the year actually have its origins in a workers' protest?! I've found at least three stories for the origins of Black Friday.

77 years ago this week, Nazi leaders were put on trial by Allied powers at Nuremberg...“Powers will pursue them to the uttermost ends of the earth and will deliver them to the accusers in order that justice may be done." Moscow Declaration on Atrocities In May 1945, the in Europe ended.

The life and work of one of Africa's most celebrated writers...“There was a writer named Chinua Achebe… in whose company the prison walls fell down.” Nelson Mandela Chinua Achebe was born on the 16th November, 1930.

The life and work of one of the twentieth century's most famous scientists “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood.

The story of Abraham Lincoln's election and the fight to end slavery in the United States... On Tuesday 6 November 1860, Americans voted for a new president.