Radical History Blog

On a brisk April morning in 1876, spectators gathered in Washington DC's Capitol Hill district for the unveiling of the new .

Today marks the birth of one of Europe's most prolific 20th century political intellectuals. But which political tradition can actually claim him as their own? The era-defining German playwright, , was born in Bavaria today in 1898.

A face, a quotation, and a name. Most of the time, excluding the material aspect (half panama, natural unbleached cotton, if you were wondering), this trinity is what makes up a ‘Radical Tea Towel’.

In the late 1930s, African-Americans found more equality on the front line of a foreign civil war than they could on the front row of a bus in Alabama.

Holocaust Memorial Day recalls one of the worst crimes in human history. It's also a time to reflect on the heroic and humanitarian actions of those who did all they could to stand with the marginalised and oppressed.

I had an epiphany the other day. It wasn't at all to do with religion, no. This one was about a combination of radical politics a nd Manchester town centre!

Today is a day to celebrate King's achievements - but also to heed his internationalist approach to the fight against injustice. Though Day is an American holiday, the man himself was thoroughly international.

We all like to entwine our own stories with those of our heroes.

All of us have heard of . I'd venture many of us also know the 14 th of July - Bastille Day – when the French masses proclaimed ' ' for all the world to hear.

Alice Paul was key to the in the US. Sadly, she abandoned other groups pursuing freedom along the way. , the New Jersey feminist crucial to winning the (which gave women voting rights), was born today in 1885.