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Breaking News: Wellington defeats Napoleon at Waterloo
The Battle of Waterloo on 18th June, 1815, is a key date in British history. But how was it reported at the time? As you'd expect, not impartially...
Read nowBreaking News: Wellington defeats Napoleon at WaterlooArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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Copyright free: Bibliothèque Nationale de France
After Waterloo: What happened next?
After the collapse of Napoleon's army two hundred years ago, what happened next? We catch up with the news from July 3rd, 1815
Read nowAfter Waterloo: What happened next?Article
Level: 1 Introductory
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Copyright free: Public domain image
Did Waterloo prevent a fresh Anglo-American war?
Believing Bonaparte to be resurgent in France, some Americans pushed President Madison to reignite the recently quelled hostilities of the 1812 War. Waterloo defeated these hopes as soundly as it defeated Napoleon's - at least in the view of the British as captured by The Morning Post.
Read nowDid Waterloo prevent a fresh Anglo-American war?Article
Level: 1 Introductory
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Julian Osley under Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0 license
London's 1818 public health crisis
200 years ago today, the Morning Post shared a report into a health crisis gripping London - and how public health solutions offered a way out of the mess.
Read nowLondon's 1818 public health crisisArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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Copyright free: Public domain, from William Ralston's Historia del Fútbol
Match report: England v Scotland, 1872
The first international football match took place between England & Scotland in Glasgow, on November 30th 1872. Here's how it went.
Read nowMatch report: England v Scotland, 1872Article
Level: 1 Introductory
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Match report: The first England v Wales rugby international
The first England v Wales rugby match took place on Saturday 19th February, 1881. This match report suggests that Wales' skills on the pitch had yet to show themselves.
Read nowMatch report: The first England v Wales rugby internationalArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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Gladstone and the Liberal Party
In 1868, as the Liberals in the Commons reunited and the influence of Palmerston and Wallace became history, the man who untied the factions was the obvious choice to lead the first modern version of The Liberal Party.
Read nowGladstone and the Liberal PartyArticle
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Copyright free: Punch
Building the first Thames sewer system
The original Thames sewer system became a pressing need following the clean-up of London streets. But even the stench of the river overpowering the Houses of Parliament couldn't persuade the Board of Works to speed up the building process. This editorial from The Morning Chronicle of 20th July, 1859 explores why the fight against cholera had turned the river putrid, and called for faster action.
Read nowBuilding the first Thames sewer systemArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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Copyright free: Engraving from True Stories of the Reign of Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria on the Chartists
Queen Victoria and her advisors were alive to the possibility that some Chartists might try to attack her. These extracts from her personal journal show, during the years of Chartist activity, the risk was never far from her mind.
Read nowQueen Victoria on the ChartistsArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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Tory Trades Unionism: 19th Century Style
The Conservatives have announced plans for their own Trades Union movement, hoping to steal support from a traditionally left-leaning grouping. It has echoes of the late 19th Century...
Read nowTory Trades Unionism: 19th Century StyleArticle
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Copyright free: Public Domain
Meetings with a polite Opium Eater: Charles Knight on Thomas De Quincey
The publisher Charles Knight recorded his meetings with Thomas De Quincey in his autobiography, Passages of a Working Life during Half a Century. He tells of a shy, but smart, man.
Read nowMeetings with a polite Opium Eater: Charles Knight on Thomas De QuinceyArticle
Level: 2 Intermediate
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DncnH under CC-BY under Creative-Commons license
What were Victorian pauper's graves like?
An account of a tragedy in a London graveyard gives an insight into the way the poor were buried in 19th Century England.
Read nowWhat were Victorian pauper's graves like?Article
Level: 1 Introductory
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Wellcome Images under Creative Commons BY 4.0 license
A Victorian Christmas: Christmas Day In The Workhouse
For its December 25th, 1840 edition, the Morning Chronicle polled workhouse managers to discover what the poor of London could expect for their Christmas Day. The following is an extract of their report.
Read nowA Victorian Christmas: Christmas Day In The WorkhouseArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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Kiwi Flickr under Creative Commons BY 4.0 license
A Victorian Christmas: Charles Darwin in New Zealand
In 1835, Charles Darwin had what he hoped would be his last Christmas before returning to Britiain.
Read nowA Victorian Christmas: Charles Darwin in New ZealandArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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Copyright free: Public domain
A Victorian Christmas: Victoria's Christmas
Victoria spends Christmas 1837 with a "merry" Lord Melbourne.
Read nowA Victorian Christmas: Victoria's ChristmasArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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Copyright free: Jesse Harrison Whitehurst
A Victorian Christmas: Thackeray goes to the pantomime
In this extract from Roundabout Papers, William Makepeace Thackeray describes a festive entertainment which takes liberties with history. Not that Thackeray is above taking a few liberties of his own...
Read nowA Victorian Christmas: Thackeray goes to the pantomimeArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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Stephendickson under Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0 license
A Victorian Christmas: Christmas in Dreamthorp
The essayist and poet Alexander Smith's Dreamthorp is a collection of essays he wrote in the countryside. This extract, titled Christmas, is anchored in the December of 1862, and includes some personal views which are very much of their time.
Read nowA Victorian Christmas: Christmas in DreamthorpArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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How did Newcastle celebrate the 200th anniversary of Shakespeare?
The 400th anniversary of Shakespeare is being well marked around the nation, and around the globe (and the Globe). But how was the 200th anniversary marked?
Read nowHow did Newcastle celebrate the 200th anniversary of Shakespeare?Article
Level: 1 Introductory
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Copyright free: The Royal Collection
Queen Victoria on William Shakespeare
What did the Queen of England think of the Bard of Avon? We dip into her diaries to find out...
Read nowQueen Victoria on William ShakespeareArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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calflier001 under Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0 license
A modest liking for Liverpool
In the 1880s, W D Howell lived in England, recording his impressions of the places he visited. In this extract from Seven English Cities, his Atlantic crossing ends in the docks of the Mersey.
Read nowA modest liking for LiverpoolArticle
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Mathew F under Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0 license
A day at Doncaster - and an hour out of Durham
The lure of the races proves overwhelming - as does the splendour of Durham.
Read nowA day at Doncaster - and an hour out of DurhamArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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Paul Allison under Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0 license
Two Yorkish episodes
A visit to the site of a Civil War battle - and a hanging tale of a murder.
Read nowTwo Yorkish episodesArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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Copyright free: Robert Clopas
Nine days' wonder in York
William has much admiration for the Minster - but the joy of York is to be harshly curtailed...
Read nowNine days' wonder in YorkArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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Copyright free: Chemical Engineer
In smokiest Sheffield
William arrives in Sheffield - finding a city struggling environmentally and economically.
Read nowIn smokiest SheffieldArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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Nightfall404 under Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0 license
Some merits of Manchester
In Manchester, William is struck by the city's dignity - and woollen socks.
Read nowSome merits of ManchesterArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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Copyright free: Public domain
Florence Nightingale on what makes a good nurse
In the 1881 letter to trainee nurses at St Thomas' Hospital, Florence Nightingale outlines what she believes makes a good nurse - a woman without "womanly weaknesses".
Read nowFlorence Nightingale on what makes a good nurseArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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Copyright free: gokalpiscan
A 19th century autopsy unmasks a poisoner
14 physicians gather at a graveside to untangle a tale of American settlers, poison, weak alibis, murder and suicide.
Read nowA 19th century autopsy unmasks a poisonerArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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Copyright free: Illustrated London News
The outgoing Prime Minister and his replacement: Gladstone makes way for Rosebery
As Downing Street changes hands again, we dip into the archives to find out what happened in 1894 when ill-health forced William Gladstone to quit in favour of his foreign secretary Lord Rosebery. This extract originally appeared in The Northern Echo.
Read nowThe outgoing Prime Minister and his replacement: Gladstone makes way for RoseberyArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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Copyright free: LBSCR
Death on the tracks: A 19th century train crash
An 1853 inquest takes evidence about a fatal train crash at New Cross.
Read nowDeath on the tracks: A 19th century train crashArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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Copyright free: The Illustrated London News
Building the London Underground
In 1853, Parliament gave permission for the world's first underground railway. It promised a short, cheap burst of luxury travel - and to run the buses out of business.
Read nowBuilding the London UndergroundArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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Copyright free: John Constable
Swept away: Brighton's Chain Pier collapses during a storm
A winter storm in 1896 battered Brighton's first pier, finishing off the already condemned structure. But newer attractions also took a hammering.
Read nowSwept away: Brighton's Chain Pier collapses during a stormArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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Adrian Cable under Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0 license
Milton Keynes rallies in support of the Corn Laws
On January 23rd, Milton Keynes celebrates 50 years as a new town. But the history of the villages which came together to form the heart of modern Milton Keynes reaches back far further - as this report of a meeting against the Anti Corn Law League in 1844 shows.
Read nowMilton Keynes rallies in support of the Corn LawsArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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Andrew Davidson at en.wikipedia under Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0 license
It's 1892, and the future's bright for gas lighting
The new electric lighting will never be more than a luxury product, stockholders in the Gas Light & Coke Company are reassured at the company's 1892 meeting.
Read nowIt's 1892, and the future's bright for gas lightingArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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Copyright free: D.J. Pound
The Lords against the gunboats: When the House of Lords took on Lord Palmerston
In 1850, The House of Lords gathered to condemn the British Government's use of a blockade to force reparations from Greece. Their intervention wasn't warmly received, as this extract from the Portsmouth Telegraph shows.
Read nowThe Lords against the gunboats: When the House of Lords took on Lord PalmerstonArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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Atle Grimsby under Creative Commons BY 4.0 license
Election days: 1868 - Herring and mutton
Why did Liberals wave herring in the streets on polling day in 1868?
Read nowElection days: 1868 - Herring and muttonArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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Originally published: Thursday, 1st October 2015
Copyright information
- Body text - Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0: The Open University
- Image 'Wellington at Waterloo Hill painted by Robert Alexander Hillingdon, with astons suggesting a modern news broadcast' - Copyright free: Painting public domain image
- Image 'Louis XVIII' - Copyright free: Bibliothèque Nationale de France
- Image 'James Madison, fourth President of the United States' - Copyright free: Public domain image
- Image 'The London Fever Hospital' - Julian Osley under Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0 license
- Image ' The first association football international, Scotland v. England, played at Hamilton Crescent' - Copyright free: Public domain, from William Ralston's Historia del Fútbol
- Image 'The first Wales Rugby Union team, 1881' - Copyright free: Public domain
- Image 'William Gladstone' - Copyright free: John Jabez Edwin Mayall
- Image 'An 1855 Punch cartoon, in which Faraday hands a stinking Old Father Thames his card' - Copyright free: Punch
- Image 'A contemporary drawing of Chartist riots' - Copyright free: Engraving from True Stories of the Reign of Queen Victoria
- Image 'Geoffrey Drage, MP' - Copyright free: Public domain
- Image 'Thomas DeQuincey' - Copyright free: Public Domain
- Image 'St Botolphs in the heart of the City of London' - DncnH under CC-BY under Creative-Commons license
- Image 'Caricature of poor people at a workhouse having dinner; by Phiz' - Wellcome Images under Creative Commons BY 4.0 license
- Image 'Paihia, New Zealand' - Kiwi Flickr under Creative Commons BY 4.0 license
- Image 'Lord Melbourne' - Copyright free: Public domain
- Image 'William Makepeace Thackeray' - Copyright free: Jesse Harrison Whitehurst
- Image 'Alexander Smith, depicted on his gravestone' - Stephendickson under Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0 license
- Image 'The Chandos portrait of William Shakespeare' - Copyright free:
- Image 'The earliest photograph of Queen Victoria, with the Princess Royal' - Copyright free: The Royal Collection
- Image 'St George's Hall, Liverpool' - calflier001 under Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0 license
- Image 'Doncaster races' - Mathew F under Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0 license
- Image 'The site of Marston Moor' - Paul Allison under Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0 license
- Image 'York Minster' - Copyright free: Robert Clopas
- Image 'Sheffield Town Hall' - Copyright free: Chemical Engineer
- Image 'Manchester Town Hall' - Nightfall404 under Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0 license
- Image 'Florence Nightingale' - Copyright free: Public domain
- Image 'Nux vomica' - Copyright free: gokalpiscan
- Image 'Gladstone addresses the House' - Copyright free: Illustrated London News
- Image 'Official LB&SCR photograph of first K class locomotive' - Copyright free: LBSCR
- Image ' Construction of the Metropolitan Railway, the world's first underground railway. Illustration shows the trench and partially completed cut and cover tunnel close to Kings Cross station, London. The railway opened in 1863.' - Copyright free: The Illustrated London News
- Image 'The Chain Pier, Brighton painted by John Constable' - Copyright free: John Constable
- Image 'Farmland in Milton Keynes' - Adrian Cable under Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0 license
- Image 'Plaque remembering the Gas Light & Coke Company's gasworks' - Andrew Davidson at en.wikipedia under Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0 license
- Image 'Lord Palmerston' - Copyright free: D.J. Pound
- Image 'Herring' - Atle Grimsby under Creative Commons BY 4.0 license
- Image 'First World War Experienced front cover' - The Open University under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 license
- Image 'Old hardback books' - By Lin Kristensen from New Jersey, USA (Timeless Books) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons under Creative-Commons license
- Image 'Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe' - Copyright:
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Publication details
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Originally published: Thursday, 1st October 2015
Copyright information
- Body text - Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0: The Open University
- Image 'Wellington at Waterloo Hill painted by Robert Alexander Hillingdon, with astons suggesting a modern news broadcast' - Copyright free: Painting public domain image
- Image 'Louis XVIII' - Copyright free: Bibliothèque Nationale de France
- Image 'James Madison, fourth President of the United States' - Copyright free: Public domain image
- Image 'The London Fever Hospital' - Julian Osley under Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0 license
- Image ' The first association football international, Scotland v. England, played at Hamilton Crescent' - Copyright free: Public domain, from William Ralston's Historia del Fútbol
- Image 'The first Wales Rugby Union team, 1881' - Copyright free: Public domain
- Image 'William Gladstone' - Copyright free: John Jabez Edwin Mayall
- Image 'An 1855 Punch cartoon, in which Faraday hands a stinking Old Father Thames his card' - Copyright free: Punch
- Image 'A contemporary drawing of Chartist riots' - Copyright free: Engraving from True Stories of the Reign of Queen Victoria
- Image 'Geoffrey Drage, MP' - Copyright free: Public domain
- Image 'Thomas DeQuincey' - Copyright free: Public Domain
- Image 'St Botolphs in the heart of the City of London' - DncnH under CC-BY under Creative-Commons license
- Image 'Caricature of poor people at a workhouse having dinner; by Phiz' - Wellcome Images under Creative Commons BY 4.0 license
- Image 'Paihia, New Zealand' - Kiwi Flickr under Creative Commons BY 4.0 license
- Image 'Lord Melbourne' - Copyright free: Public domain
- Image 'William Makepeace Thackeray' - Copyright free: Jesse Harrison Whitehurst
- Image 'Alexander Smith, depicted on his gravestone' - Stephendickson under Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0 license
- Image 'The Chandos portrait of William Shakespeare' - Copyright free:
- Image 'The earliest photograph of Queen Victoria, with the Princess Royal' - Copyright free: The Royal Collection
- Image 'St George's Hall, Liverpool' - calflier001 under Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0 license
- Image 'Doncaster races' - Mathew F under Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0 license
- Image 'The site of Marston Moor' - Paul Allison under Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0 license
- Image 'York Minster' - Copyright free: Robert Clopas
- Image 'Sheffield Town Hall' - Copyright free: Chemical Engineer
- Image 'Manchester Town Hall' - Nightfall404 under Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0 license
- Image 'Florence Nightingale' - Copyright free: Public domain
- Image 'Nux vomica' - Copyright free: gokalpiscan
- Image 'Gladstone addresses the House' - Copyright free: Illustrated London News
- Image 'Official LB&SCR photograph of first K class locomotive' - Copyright free: LBSCR
- Image ' Construction of the Metropolitan Railway, the world's first underground railway. Illustration shows the trench and partially completed cut and cover tunnel close to Kings Cross station, London. The railway opened in 1863.' - Copyright free: The Illustrated London News
- Image 'The Chain Pier, Brighton painted by John Constable' - Copyright free: John Constable
- Image 'Farmland in Milton Keynes' - Adrian Cable under Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0 license
- Image 'Plaque remembering the Gas Light & Coke Company's gasworks' - Andrew Davidson at en.wikipedia under Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0 license
- Image 'Lord Palmerston' - Copyright free: D.J. Pound
- Image 'Herring' - Atle Grimsby under Creative Commons BY 4.0 license
- Image 'First World War Experienced front cover' - The Open University under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 license
- Image 'Old hardback books' - By Lin Kristensen from New Jersey, USA (Timeless Books) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons under Creative-Commons license
- Image 'Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe' - Copyright:
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