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HistoryExtra

@HistoryExtra

Posts from HistoryExtra, Britain’s bestselling history magazine and award-winning podcast.

 Bristol, UK
historyextra.com
Joined March 2009
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Photo by HistoryExtra (@HistoryExtra)Photo by HistoryExtra (@HistoryExtra)Photo by HistoryExtra (@HistoryExtra)Photo by HistoryExtra (@HistoryExtra)Photo by HistoryExtra (@HistoryExtra)Photo by HistoryExtra (@HistoryExtra)Photo by HistoryExtra (@HistoryExtra)Photo by HistoryExtra (@HistoryExtra)Photo by HistoryExtra (@HistoryExtra)Photo by HistoryExtra (@HistoryExtra)
#OnThisDay in 1859, Toulouse-born acrobat Jules Leotard performed the first flying trapeze act at the Cirque Napoléon in Paris. His name isn't a coincidence: to help with his performances and emphasise his muscular physique, he designed the garment that bears his name. 📸 Getty
A person in Victorian-era athletic attire stands with arms crossed, next to a small wooden pedestal.

ALT A person in Victorian-era athletic attire stands with arms crossed, next to a small wooden pedestal.

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On the podcast | Amy Jeffs offers a very different retelling of the King Arthur story – away from shining armour and round tables, hers involves demon sex, dog-headed monsters, and cosmic battles 🎧 Listen now on the HistoryExtra app, or wherever you get your podcasts
A regal figure in ornate medieval attire is displayed, featuring a crown and intricate armor adorned with gold and red details. The background includes similar elaborate patterns. On the left side, "HistoryExtra Podcast" logo is visible.

ALT A regal figure in ornate medieval attire is displayed, featuring a crown and intricate armor adorned with gold and red details. The background includes similar elaborate patterns. On the left side, "HistoryExtra Podcast" logo is visible.

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On the podcast | From ancient Greece to 21st-century Ukraine, Iain MacGregor explores the battles that have changed the course of history 🎧 Listen now on the HistoryExtra app, or wherever you get your podcasts
Three historical figures are depicted: Napoleon wearing military attire with epaulettes, George Washington in a formal coat, and a marble bust resembling Julius Caesar. The image includes the text "HistoryExtra Podcast" logo.

ALT Three historical figures are depicted: Napoleon wearing military attire with epaulettes, George Washington in a formal coat, and a marble bust resembling Julius Caesar. The image includes the text "HistoryExtra Podcast" logo.

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#OnThisDay in 1989, the Berlin Wall fell. At 10.45pm the border guards, having given up trying to control the waves of people, opened the gates. Reunited, West and East Germans wept, hugged and shared bottles of champagne. 📸 Getty
A large crowd of people stand on the Berlin Wall in front of the illuminated Brandenburg Gate at night. The wall is covered in graffiti.

ALT A large crowd of people stand on the Berlin Wall in front of the illuminated Brandenburg Gate at night. The wall is covered in graffiti.

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#OnThisDay in 1519, conquistador Hernán Cortés met Moctezuma, emperor of the Aztecs. The Spaniards are reported to have emphasised that they came in peace, but that was not the reality. The Spanish entered Tenochtitlán, and six days later, Moctezuma was a prisoner. 📸 Getty
A group of historical figures is depicted in a lively and ornate scene, featuring Hernán Cortés on the left, gesturing towards Moctezuma II. Both are surrounded by their respective entourages. Cortés' group includes armored soldiers, while Moctezuma's includes elaborately dressed indigenous individuals. The backdrop includes intricately carved columns and spectators in the distance, with a deep red canopy overhead.

ALT A group of historical figures is depicted in a lively and ornate scene, featuring Hernán Cortés on the left, gesturing towards Moctezuma II. Both are surrounded by their respective entourages. Cortés' group includes armored soldiers, while Moctezuma's includes elaborately dressed indigenous individuals. The backdrop includes intricately carved columns and spectators in the distance, with a deep red canopy overhead.

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On the podcast | Leah Garrett explores the little-known role of the flight nurse during the Second World War 🎧 Listen now on the HistoryExtra app, or wherever you get your podcasts
Image from HistoryExtra (@HistoryExtra)
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#OnThisDay in 1605, the Gunpowder Plot was foiled. In the small hours of the morning, the men of James VI and I discovered Guy Fawkes and 30 barrels of gunpowder. He was dressed in a large cloak and hat, and calling himself John Johnson. 📸 Getty
A person in historical attire, including a hat and cloak, is at a dimly lit cellar filled with wooden barrels and planks. The person is looking towards a doorway where armed guards, wearing 17th-century clothing and holding spears, are entering. The setting suggests tension and secrecy.

ALT A person in historical attire, including a hat and cloak, is at a dimly lit cellar filled with wooden barrels and planks. The person is looking towards a doorway where armed guards, wearing 17th-century clothing and holding spears, are entering. The setting suggests tension and secrecy.

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#OnThisDay in 1677, Mary Stuart married her cousin, William of Orange at St James's Palace. The political alliance aimed to strengthen Protestant ties and counter Catholic influence in Europe. 📸 Getty
A historical painting depicting two finely dressed individuals in lavish, ornate garments typical of European nobility. The person on the left is wearing an elegant, patterned dress, while the right figure is in a vibrant red outfit with a large white collar and holding a hat. They stand against an opulent backdrop, including a decorative curtain and a stone pillar.

ALT A historical painting depicting two finely dressed individuals in lavish, ornate garments typical of European nobility. The person on the left is wearing an elegant, patterned dress, while the right figure is in a vibrant red outfit with a large white collar and holding a hat. They stand against an opulent backdrop, including a decorative curtain and a stone pillar.

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On the podcast | Tom Licence joins us to explore the life of Harold Godwinson, the king whose death at Hastings helped reshape England’s story 🎧 Listen now on the HistoryExtra app, or wherever you get your podcasts
The image features an illustration of a medieval ruler holding a scepter and orb, set against a backdrop resembling the Bayeux Tapestry. A HistoryExtra logo is in the top left corner.

ALT The image features an illustration of a medieval ruler holding a scepter and orb, set against a backdrop resembling the Bayeux Tapestry. A HistoryExtra logo is in the top left corner.

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On the podcast | Ronald Hutton explores the ancient goddesses who united love, sex and violence, from Inanna and Ishtar, to Aphrodite and Freyja 🎧 Listen now on the HistoryExtra app, or wherever you get your podcasts
Ancient carved artwork depicting a humanoid figure interacting with large, serpentine creatures. The scene includes intricate textures and patterns, suggesting a mythological or historical narrative. The HistoryExtra podcast logo is in the bottom right corner.

ALT Ancient carved artwork depicting a humanoid figure interacting with large, serpentine creatures. The scene includes intricate textures and patterns, suggesting a mythological or historical narrative. The HistoryExtra podcast logo is in the bottom right corner.

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#OnThisDay in 1957, Russians launched Sputnik II. On board was the dog Laika, the first known living animal to travel in space. 📸 Getty
A dog named Laika is inside a small space capsule, appearing calm and looking outward. The capsule has various controls and instruments visible. The setting seems to be an indoor environment.

ALT A dog named Laika is inside a small space capsule, appearing calm and looking outward. The capsule has various controls and instruments visible. The setting seems to be an indoor environment.

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HistoryExtra retweeted
Chris Skidmore (@bosworthbattle) profile picture
Chris Skidmore@bosworthbattleNov 1
I’ve got a new podcast series on Richard III’s life and reign with @HistoryExtra The first of four episodes is now out, on Richard’s early life. Watch here: m.youtube.com/watch?v=a3sDNu…
The brutal childhood that shaped Richard III

The brutal childhood that shaped Richard III

What was the future Richard III like as a child? Subscribe to our c...

youtube.com
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On the podcast | Looking at the span of the Norse diaspora, Neil Price discusses how the Viking Age began, and why the Norse peoples believed they could transform into animals 🎧 Listen now on the HistoryExtra app, or wherever you get your podcasts
This is a historical illustration of Vikings preparing a wooden longship on a rocky shore surrounded by hills. The scene is busy with activity, horses, and various figures in traditional Viking attire. The ship is adorned with shields. The HistoryExtra logo is in the bottom left corner.

ALT This is a historical illustration of Vikings preparing a wooden longship on a rocky shore surrounded by hills. The scene is busy with activity, horses, and various figures in traditional Viking attire. The ship is adorned with shields. The HistoryExtra logo is in the bottom left corner.

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#OnThisDay in 1483, Henry Stafford, the second Duke of Buckingham, was beheaded for his part in a plot to overthrow King Richard III. Pictured left, Stafford died at age 28 in Salisbury Market Place. 📸 Getty
This image is an engraving featuring a person dressed in historical attire, framed in an ornate oval border. Below the portrait, there is a detailed scene depicting individuals gathered in a room, interacting with lively expressions and gestures.

ALT This image is an engraving featuring a person dressed in historical attire, framed in an ornate oval border. Below the portrait, there is a detailed scene depicting individuals gathered in a room, interacting with lively expressions and gestures.

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#OnThisDay in 1950, US President Harry S Truman survived an assassination attempt. Two Puerto Rican nationalists attempted to shoot their way into Blair House – the president's home while the White House was being refurbished – but police officers intercepted them. 📸 Getty
A black-and-white newspaper front page from the Daily News with the headline "2 Die, 3 Shot As Pair Try to Kill Truman." Below are two images: the left shows a person lying on the ground, and the right is an image of President Truman near a building entrance.

ALT A black-and-white newspaper front page from the Daily News with the headline "2 Die, 3 Shot As Pair Try to Kill Truman." Below are two images: the left shows a person lying on the ground, and the right is an image of President Truman near a building entrance.

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#OnThisDay in 1965, Jean Shrimpton attended the Victoria Racing Club in Melbourne wearing a dress which finished about 4 inches above her knee. Later this was seen as the moment the mini skirt was born, but on the day, she was met with a long, appalled silence. 📸 Getty
A person in a stylish 1960s outfit stands in the foreground holding a handbag, with a crowd in formal attire in the background. The setting appears to be an outdoor event.

ALT A person in a stylish 1960s outfit stands in the foreground holding a handbag, with a crowd in formal attire in the background. The setting appears to be an outdoor event.

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#OnThisDay in 1618, Sir Walter Raleigh's met a grisly end. Contrary to instructions, some of Raleigh’s men had attacked a local Spanish outpost during an expedition to Venezuela. The Spanish ambassador demanded blood. For this, he was executed in London. 📸 Getty
A historical painting features an individual dressed in elaborate Elizabethan attire, complete with a ruffled collar and a hat adorned with a feather.

ALT A historical painting features an individual dressed in elaborate Elizabethan attire, complete with a ruffled collar and a hat adorned with a feather.

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On the podcast | Why have humans turned to ghosts and other supernatural forces in times of fear and uncertainty? Malcolm Gaskill explores centuries of strange beliefs – and the emotions that fuelled them 🎧 Listen now on the HistoryExtra app, or wherever you get your podcasts
A ghostly figure appears on a dimly lit staircase, enveloped in a green glow. The image is ethereal and mysterious, suggesting a supernatural theme. The HistoryExtra Podcast logo is in the top left corner.

ALT A ghostly figure appears on a dimly lit staircase, enveloped in a green glow. The image is ethereal and mysterious, suggesting a supernatural theme. The HistoryExtra Podcast logo is in the top left corner.

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#OnThisDay in 2007, after victory in the opening round of the presidential election, the Peronist politician Cristina Fernández de Kirchner became Argentina’s first elected female president. 📸 Getty
A person stands at a balcony with arms raised in a V-sign, smiling. An Argentine flag hangs over the balcony. A photographer is present in the background.

ALT A person stands at a balcony with arms raised in a V-sign, smiling. An Argentine flag hangs over the balcony. A photographer is present in the background.

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On the podcast | Dan Jones surveys fortifications from across the ages and around the world to design his ultimate castle 🎧 Listen now on the HistoryExtra app, or wherever you get your podcasts
This image shows a person standing in front of a large stone fortress, known as Krak des Chevaliers, under a partly cloudy sky. There is a HistoryExtra Podcast logo in the bottom right corner.

ALT This image shows a person standing in front of a large stone fortress, known as Krak des Chevaliers, under a partly cloudy sky. There is a HistoryExtra Podcast logo in the bottom right corner.

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