In 1856, the British Raj launched one of the Victorian era’s least-remembered conflicts. The Qajar Kingdom of Persia conquered the city of Herat, whose claims of independence had been backed by the British, who viewed it as a valuable ally … Continue reading The History Thread Blunders

This week’s optional discussion topic: Spies and undercover operatives. Inspired by this wonderful painting of Grace and Rachel Martin, two sisters-in-law who ran a small spy network in South Carolina during the Revolutionary War which assisted the Continental Army in … Continue reading The Undercover History Thread

Phyllis Wheatley was born in western Africa (probably Gambia) in 1753. As a young girl, she was kidnapped and sold into slavery, eventually becoming the property of Boston trader John Wheatley. At any early age, Phyllis showed signs of intellectual … Continue reading The Phyllis Wheatley History Thread

Valentine’s Day is this weekend, so an obvious discussion topic comes to mind: Historical romances. Which historical relationships, romantic, sexual or otherwise do you find most interesting? It can be a great tale of timeless love, or a powerful couple … Continue reading The History Thread is Cold Around the Heart

Every once in a while, the History Thread invites you to ask for recommendations. And there’s usually some anime girl in the header. Any historical subjects that you want to learn more about? Use this thread to ask for recommendations … Continue reading The History Thread Recommends

This week’s weather put me in mind of the Year Without a Summer. In 1816, the entire world experienced a massive, year-long cold snap. Europe, the United States and much of Asia experienced year-long frosts, snowfalls and frigid weather, making … Continue reading The History Thread Without a Summer

On June 22, 1893 the HMS Victoria, the flagship of Britain’s Mediterranean fleet, sunk off the coast of Lebanon in a collision with the HMS Camperdown. The sinking occurred because Admiral George Tryon, commanding the fleet, misjudged the degree of … Continue reading The History Thread Collides!

Early Civil Rights pioneer Claudette Colvin passed away on Tuesday at age 85. Just 15 years old, she helped kick off the Montgomery Bus Boycott by refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus. For a variety of … Continue reading The History Thread Remembers Claudette Colvin

The History Thread makes its triumphant return for 2026! No topic this week, just discuss anything that you’ve read, watched or otherwise learned since we last met, or what you hope to learn more about in 2026. Continue reading New Year, New History Thread!

Agnew here, welcome back to the History Thread. I’ll be around off and on since I have a presentation for work today. Enjoy George Hetzel’s painting Fishing at Shade Run Furnace (1869), a wonderfully expressive example of the Scalp Level … Continue reading The Artistic History Thread

Agnew here. Unfortunately I overslept this morning and didn’t have time to prepare a proper header (as if such a thing exists anymore). So I’m going to declare this week’s thread a free discussion. Discuss anything you’ve read, watched or … Continue reading The History Thread Overslept!

Agnew here, in honor of my latest anime fixation this week’s discussion topic: Favorite historical crime or criminals? I’m thinking specifically of the “fun” kind of crime (daring heists, robberies, cons, whatever) more than say the dreary stuff like serial … Continue reading The Criminal History Thread

This week’s History Thread remembers John Vliet Lindsay, who was elected Mayor of New York City in 1965. A handsome Ivy League WASP and former Congressman, Lindsay was the last of a dying breed – a genuinely liberal Republican who … Continue reading The History Thread is Fresh and Everyone Else Is Tired

Optional discussion topic: Favorite piece of historical folklore. We talk about paranormal-tinged stuff often enough, but this seems an appropriate topic for the day before Halloween. Witches, werewolves, vampires, curses – many possible subjects without bringing that overrated Sasquatch into … Continue reading The Halloween History Thread

In October 1973, the Nobel Committee announced that the year’s Nobel Peace Prize would be awarded jointly to Henry Kissinger and Le Duc Tho. The American Secretary of State and North Vietnamese diplomat were to be awarded for their work … Continue reading The History Thread is at Hand

Welcome to the very belated History Thread! I’m going to try moving it to Thursday for pragmatic reasons (eg. my work schedule recently changed so posting it Tuesday won’t work), if this works we can try making this our permanent … Continue reading It’s a New Day for the History Thread!

The History Thread remains on Tuesday for another week! This week’s discussion focuses on the biggest, most popular topic of all, World War II. Recommend books, documentaries or podcasts, discuss specific events (whether well-known battles or lesser-known cultural and individual … Continue reading The History Thread at War

As we head into the Spooky Season, I’m hoping to put together a couple of Things That Are Not articles, as time and research allow. I’m also considering moving this thread to a different day, since my work schedule changes … Continue reading Hoaxing the History Thread

Welcome back to the History Thread! This week’s optional discussion prompt: how important is balance or impartiality in historical works? Obviously most historians seek to achieve something like a balanced perspective on the people or events they write about. But … Continue reading The Balanced History Thread