The Bristorian introduces The Past Today, a unique series presenting you with the headlines of today’s past.

The series is made up of short, sharp, yet impactful 500 word pieces, designed to bring some intrigue and entertainment to your day.

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The Last Man – Tokugawa Yoshinobu

On this day in 1867, the reign of the last shogun drew to a close, ending over two and a half centuries of the Tokugawa shogunate. William Budd explores the rule of Tokugawa Yoshinobu and his attempts to modernise and reform Japan.

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The Beginning of Prohibition

On this day in 1919, the Volstead Act was passed, beginning Prohibition in the United States. Daniel Rose reflects on its attempt to solve the ‘social ills of alcoholism’ - its successes, its failures and the effects that still permeate today’s society.

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Dumbo: ‘Wrong then, wrong now’?

On this day in 1941, Dumbo was first released. Lucy Ward critically reviews its greatly problematic history and questions how we can ethically consume such films.

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Leif Erikson Day

On this day in 1964, Leif Erikson Day was formally established in the US, celebrating American ties to Scandinavia and Iceland. Ben Bryant looks at the first European to set foot on continental North America.

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The Women’s March on Versailles

235 years ago, on the 5th of October, the women of Paris marched to Versailles, demanding bread and change. Emma Collins reflects upon this grand display of solidarity, a turning point in the French Revolution.

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The Nuremberg Trials

On this day in 1946, the judges of the Nuremberg Trials passed their judgment on the crimes of the Nazis. Sophie Caballero-Pearce reflects on this hugely significant geopolitical event.

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The Little Rock Nine

On this day, American President Dwight D. Eisenhower ordered U.S. troops to escort nine Black students into Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas, but why was this so important? The Bristorian looks at the Little Rock Nine.

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The Death of St. Thomas Aquinas

On this day, perhaps one of the greatest thinkers of the Medieval period, Thomas Aquinas, died in 1274. Milan Perera looks at his life and the significance of his works within Medieval religion and society.

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The Spanish Flu: A Mirror Through Time

In this month in 1918, the second deadliest pandemic in human history had its first recorded case. By 1920, this pandemic had caused an estimated 50-100 million deaths globally. Though it’s origin has never been truly confirmed, its first recorded case was in a military training facility in the United States. With droves of American soldiers travelling overseas to participate in World War I, the disease quickly spread and decimated Europe.

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Napoleon Escapes from Elba

On the 26th February 1815, the French Emperor Napoleon escaped from exile on the island of Elba. This action kickstarted what is known as the Hundred Days, culminating in his eventual final defeat and second exile after the momentous Battle of Waterloo.

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Discovery of Tutankhamun’s Sarcophagus

Today on February 16, 1923, renowned British archaeologist Howard Carter discovers the Sarcophagus of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt. The tomb's discovery influenced art movements, cinematography, and literature in the coming years.

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