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.

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.

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.

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.

On February 8, 1587, Mary, Queen of Scots, was executed under the orders of her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I of England. The execution in itself was an unusual one, but to dive into the reasons for her execution, we have to look much further back throughout Mary’s life to gain the full context for the event.

On this day, 80 years ago, The Battle of Stalingrad ended. Arguably one of the most bloody, brutal, and harrowing battles of the Second World War. The battle also marked a significant turning point and potentially the beginning of the end of the War itself.

78 years ago today, Auschwitz, the most notorious of all of the Nazi death camps, was liberated. The symbolic nature of this moment meant that today was chosen to serve as the International Holocaust Memorial Day.

On this day 57 years ago, Indira Gandhi was inaugurated as the first female Prime Minister of India. Bristorian Contributor, Milan, looks at her life and time in office.

With King Charles III’s coronation having been set for later this year, and interest in the phenomenon therefore likely to grow, Silva looks at the historical significance of the coronation of Elizabeth I, 464 years ago today.

On this day in 1920, the infamous Treaty of Versailles came into effect. After four years of brutal warfare that shaped Europe, the Treaty has had a contested historiography. Bristorian Contributor, Mish Al-Roubaie, discusses whether or not the Treaty is rightly described as ‘Carthaginian Peace.’

On this day, 477 years ago, The Council of Trent convened and would be one of the most critical events in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. Bristorian contributor, Milan, looks into the significance of the event.

On this day in 1941, Japanese forces attacked Pearl Harbour, a US military base in Hawaii. While it is commonly seen as a military blunder, the consequences of this attack would have significant short-term and long-term effects on Japan in the future.

The Bristorian contributor, Sayoni Ghosh, reflects on the devastating industrial disaster that happened on this day in 1984, and its effects are still with us today through chronic illnesses and contaminated land.

For ‘The Past Today’, Natty looks at Napoleon’s involvement and tactics at the 2nd of December 1805 Battle of Austerlitz - a decisive battle that displayed the emperor’s tactical aptitude and led to the effective end of the War of the Third Coalition.

Perkin Warbeck may not be the first person that comes to mind when one thinks of the Tudors, but he had a significant influence upon Henry Tudor’s domestic and foreign policy, existing as a figure that deserves to be brought into a more public sphere.

When you ask someone to name a pirate, Blackbeard will most likely come up. He is probably one of the most notorious and famous pirates in popular imagination. From his death on 22nd November 1718, his imagery and actions would be passed down through the decades, and has transformed the popular imagination of pirates in the present day.

After 33 years, AJ considers the lasting impact of the Iron Curtain, interviewing Germans, Sigrid and Arnim, who grew up before the fall.

The Russian Revolution of 1917 was undoubtedly the most ground-breaking social and political experiment carried out in the 20th century. It casts long shadows, and its tremors are still felt in the current political zeitgeist whether it is the beguiling allure of socialism in Latin America and Asia or the reignited Cold War rhetoric of Russian leaders in the present day.

On the Past Today, The Bristorian looks at the causes and legacy of the Hungarian Uprising that took place in 1956. On this day, Soviet forces would enter Hungary from neighbouring states to quell the protests and fighting occurring in the capital. The Uprising would eventually end soon after the superior forces arrived.