At the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the rulers of three big players were all related, perhaps further complicating the political situations of the time. Kaiser Wilhelm II, German Emperor from 1888, was the eldest grandchild of England's Queen Victoria. King George V's relation to the German monarchy is the reason the British … Continue reading WWI: A Family Affair
Author: myhistoryaber
Shortest War in History
The shortest war in history is considered to be the Anglo-Zanzibar war of 1896 - lasting less than an hour, and certainly not long enough for blanket press coverage. The war had colonial causes - Zanzibar had been under British protection, and the British disagreed with the succession of Khalid bin Barghash to the throne … Continue reading Shortest War in History
History on Screen
Historians aren't the only ones with an interest in the past. Filmmakers, costume designers, and of course the general viewing public, all have an interest as well. It's no surprise that there are plenty of documentaries, TV series, and films covering pretty much any period of history you could possibly want. It might seem surprising … Continue reading History on Screen
Archaeology & Pompeii
In 79AD, Mount Vesuvius in southern Italy exploded in what is probably the most well-known volcanic eruption in history. Though it wasn't the only place affected, almost everyone knows the name Pompeii. A thriving community at the time of Vesuvius' eruption, Pompeii was covered in volcanic ash and rubble, devastating the town. On a more … Continue reading Archaeology & Pompeii
Althea Gibson: Sporting Pioneer
Segregation truly did impact all aspects of life at its height, and arguably still does to an extent. Sport was no exception. However, in the world of tennis, a player emerged who helped break down some of the barriers for future generations. Althea Gibson grew up in Harlem, New York, and it was there she … Continue reading Althea Gibson: Sporting Pioneer
All Around the World
In 1962, the first American to orbit the Earth landed safely in the Atlantic Ocean, to be picked up by one of 24 American ships waiting across the globe for his return. John Glenn, aged 40 at the time, circled the globe approximately three times, at more than 17,000mph. After the 4 hour 56 minute … Continue reading All Around the World
The Trans-Atlantic Balloon
On this day in 1978, three Americans (Ben Abruzzo, Larry Newman and Max Anderson) become the first people to successfully cross the Atlantic Ocean in a hot air balloon. The flight from Maine to France took six days, and was not the first attempt for two of the three men. Ben Abruzzo and Max Anderson … Continue reading The Trans-Atlantic Balloon
Panama Canal Opens
On this day in 1914, the Panama Canal opened to traffic, after a decade of American ownership and construction. The Panama Canal, much like the earlier Suez Canal in Egypt, was designed to shorten shipping routes and make global trade easier and more efficient. The idea for a canal connecting the Pacific and Atlantic oceans … Continue reading Panama Canal Opens
Berlin in the years after the war
In the years after the First World War, crippling reparations were imposed upon Germany. In fact, these reparations and the mass poverty they caused cannot be absolved from blame in terms of causes of the Second World War. Therefore, it was only natural that the victorious allies should want to avoid putting the country over … Continue reading Berlin in the years after the war
Musée du Louvre: Fortress to Museum
In 1190, Philip II (the first person to be officially known as the King of France) decided to erect a fortress to protect what he believed to be a weak spot in the defence of Paris – where the city met the river Seine. At this time, the Louvre was not in the centre of … Continue reading Musée du Louvre: Fortress to Museum
History @ Aber 