Radical History Blog

Spartacus, a gladiator during the time of the Roman Empire, rose up against the elites and inspired slave rebellions centuries later Above: the 'Death of Spartacus' by Hermann Vogel (1882) This is the furthest back in time we’ve ever gone.

Scottish poet Robert Burns' depoliticised modern image overshadows his radical history Robert Burns, born on this day in 1759, is the iconic Scottish poet. That much is well-known. But what’s often forgotten is that Burns was a political radical.

Trying to influence the Liberal Party wasn't working, so the UK labour movement changed tack in the 1890s... The , created in 1906, wasn’t the first party of labour in the U.K.

The Fabian Society, both lauded and criticised for its gradualism, played a key role in the development of socialism in Britain On this day in 1884, the Fabian Society was created in London.

His commitment to reform, rather than independence for the Philippines, wasn't enough to save him on this day in 1896 Everybody’s heard of Ho Chi Minh but fewer know about José Rizal (1861-1896).

Born on Christmas Eve, he was one of the most bizarre radicals of the 19th century The radical past contains a range of characters.

The movement for women’s suffrage in the U.S. was diverse. Although the leadership was dominated by white women like and , feminist activism came from all across American society. Mary Louise Bottineau Baldwin c.

If Florence Nightingale is the founder of modern nursing, then Thora Silverthorne is the founder of the modern nursing labour movement Thora Silverthorne in around 1910 When people think of the history of British nursing, Florence Nightingale is the first name that comes to mind.

Jawaharlal Nehru sought first to free India, and then to ensure its independent voice on the world stage "At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom." Gandhi and Nehru in 1946 Jawaharlal Nehru was born on this day in 1889.

This week in 1919, the International Congress of Women Workers took place in Washington DC The (NFWW), established in 1906, was the first ever nationwide trade union for women in Britain.