World history: The stories that shaped us all

Step into the vast tapestry of our shared human past — a world of empires and uprisings, migrations and revolutions, innovations and injustices. Our World History category brings together diverse narratives from every corner of the globe, challenging Eurocentric timelines and spotlighting the voices too often left out of the mainstream record.

From ancient civilisations to modern movements, we explore how cultures have collided, connected, and evolved. This is a space for learning, unlearning, and rethinking the stories we've been told. Whether you're drawn to forgotten kingdoms, global revolutions, or everyday acts of resistance, you'll find a world of insight here, because history isn't just about the past; it's about how we understand ourselves today.

The Protestant Reformation: A catalyst for change in European Christianity

The Protestant Reformation, a pivotal movement in the 16th century, fundamentally transformed Europe’s religious, political, and cultural landscape. Initiated by figures like Martin Luther, John …

History of Broadway Theatre, Catford

The Broadway Theatre, Catford has had many names over the decades. It started out as a concert hall extension to Lewisham Town Hall called uninspiringly “Town Hall Extension”. In 1926, …

The Beta Israel: The history and heritage of Ethiopian Jews

The Beta Israel community, often known as Ethiopian Jews, holds a unique place within the diverse mosaic of Jewish peoples. With a history that intertwines ancient traditions, enduring faith, and the …

The untold history of Jamaica

This is a lecture that contradicts what we know of our history. It manages to span over 10,000 years of our history in under an hour. It looks at the people who lived on the island of Jamaica prior to …

The burning of Greenwood aka Black Wall Street

It may be hard to imagine today that black people could be unified enough to have a successful all-black community, but in early 20th Century America, that’s exactly what happened. Greenwood is a …

History of Jamaica Welfare

Jamaica Welfare was founded by Norman Manley in 1937. It was the first large scale social welfare organisation on the island. It was formed from suggestions Manley made to United Fruit Company …

The death penalty is flawed: The case of Glenn Ford

On hearing that Clayton Lockett suffered during his botched execution, many of you may have looked at his crime before deciding whether he was worthy of your compassion. That’s okay. We’re all human …

The rise and fall of the National Front in Britain

The National Front, a far-right political party, emerged in the United Kingdom during the late 1960s and 1970s, garnering attention and support from British citizens concerned about immigration and …

Apartheid South Africa: A dark chapter in history

Apartheid South Africa was a period characterised by institutionalised racism, segregation, and the oppressive governance of the non-white population. Apartheid created a deep divide between people …

Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman escaped slavery to become a leading abolitionist. She led hundreds of enslaved people to freedom along the route of the Underground Railroad. Harriet Tubman was born in Dorchester …

Rastafari movement

The Rastafari movement emerged in 1930s Jamaica as an anti-colonial religious movement deeply rooted in the philosophies of the Back to Africa movement led by Marcus Garvey. The Rastafari movement …

What do you know about the Chagos Islands?

In 1965, three years before Mauritius was given its independence, the UK decided to separate the Chagos Islands from the rest of its then Indian Ocean colony. The Mauritian government claims this was …