For good or bad, the British empire brought people into contact across the globe, transformed trade and drove forward the growth of cities. In short, it made the modern world – whatever you think of that. English was widely spoken throughout the empire, which means that former British Colonies are…
The Royal Navy continued to be the world’s most powerful navy well into the 20th century. During World War I its main mission was the protection of shipping from submarine attack. Naval aviation was established by the British during that war, and the Fleet Air Arm was given control of…
The British first landed in India in Surat for the purpose of trade. Here’s how and why a simple trading company, the British East India CompanyBritish East India CompanyThe East India Company (EIC) was an English, and later British, joint-stock company founded in 1600. It was formed to trade in…
Whalers, missionaries, and traders followed, and in 1840 Britain formally annexed the islands and established New Zealand’s first permanent European settlement at Wellington. The military history of New Zealand during World War II began when New Zealand entered the Second World War by declaring war on Nazi Germany with Great…
Modern studies using film analysis and computer simulation have shown that the whole ball never crossed the line – only 97% did. The result is goal-line technology and the EA Sports performance systems that Sky used to prove that Geoff Hurst’s crucial 1966 goal (left) crossed the line. “There has…
Curry is inextricably linked with the Indian Subcontinent, or South Asia. The word was invented by the British however, when India was under colonial rule. According to one account, ’Curry’ is the anglicised version of the Tamil word ’kari’, which means a sauce or gravy, instead of a spice. Curry…
The first music video: “Help!” was filmed in black and white. On 22 April 1965 Richard Lester shot The Beatles performing the song at Twickenham Film Studios in London. The black and white clip, meant to simulate a television performance, served two purposes. “They weren’t thinking about the future, no…
Beatles manager Brian Epstein nixed the idea because he “didn’t want anything unusual,” says Lindsay-Hogg, who would go on to conceptualize rock projects like The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus, filmed in 1968. Music Video. The idea came to the Beatles as a way to ease their ridiculously tight…
Many Beatles songs have apparent references to drugs. “I need a fix ’cause I’m going down” they sang in their 1968 hit “Happiness Is a Warm Gun.” The psychedelic 1967 anthem “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” is said to be about LSD. Did The Beatles write songs about drugs?…
As the name suggests, the Belgian draft Horse originates from Belgium. Among many breed historians, the Belgian is believed to be descendant from the Flemish “destriersdestriersThe destrier is the best-known war horse of the Middle Ages. It carried knights in battles, tournaments, and jousts. It was described by contemporary sources…