Ben Henderson History
@hendersonhistory.bsky.social
Teaching you the stories that shaped history, art & ideas | Present Witness History on BBC World Service radio | Follow me on X, Bluesky, Insta, TikTok, YouTube
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Did you know, classical architecture was lost for 1,000 years until one man rediscovered it and changed the world.
Read on to find out what happened 🧵
Read on to find out what happened 🧵
Life in English villages changed enormously in the 1950s.
In this charming clip, Robert Reid revisits Iddesleigh in Devon to see how things changed in the space of seven short years.
BBC Archive from February 1959.
#countryside #CountryLife #tradition
In this charming clip, Robert Reid revisits Iddesleigh in Devon to see how things changed in the space of seven short years.
BBC Archive from February 1959.
#countryside #CountryLife #tradition
May 15, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Life in English villages changed enormously in the 1950s.
In this charming clip, Robert Reid revisits Iddesleigh in Devon to see how things changed in the space of seven short years.
BBC Archive from February 1959.
#countryside #CountryLife #tradition
In this charming clip, Robert Reid revisits Iddesleigh in Devon to see how things changed in the space of seven short years.
BBC Archive from February 1959.
#countryside #CountryLife #tradition
The most incredible non-western architecture (part 3) - a thread 🧵
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Built: 2007
Built By: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
The mosque can accommodate 40,000 worshippers. It also features one of the world’s largest handwoven carpets.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Built: 2007
Built By: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
The mosque can accommodate 40,000 worshippers. It also features one of the world’s largest handwoven carpets.
May 13, 2025 at 8:10 PM
The most incredible non-western architecture (part 3) - a thread 🧵
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Built: 2007
Built By: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
The mosque can accommodate 40,000 worshippers. It also features one of the world’s largest handwoven carpets.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Built: 2007
Built By: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
The mosque can accommodate 40,000 worshippers. It also features one of the world’s largest handwoven carpets.
The World War 2 Ghost Army's job was to put on a show for an audience who wanted to kill them.
They were a unit of 1k American artists, who created the illusion of being a force of 40k, using the power of theatre.
They saved tens of thousands of lives by drawing enemy fire.
#history #WorldWar2
They were a unit of 1k American artists, who created the illusion of being a force of 40k, using the power of theatre.
They saved tens of thousands of lives by drawing enemy fire.
#history #WorldWar2
May 7, 2025 at 4:33 PM
The World War 2 Ghost Army's job was to put on a show for an audience who wanted to kill them.
They were a unit of 1k American artists, who created the illusion of being a force of 40k, using the power of theatre.
They saved tens of thousands of lives by drawing enemy fire.
#history #WorldWar2
They were a unit of 1k American artists, who created the illusion of being a force of 40k, using the power of theatre.
They saved tens of thousands of lives by drawing enemy fire.
#history #WorldWar2
A foreign woman accused of using her sexuality to corrupt a once-popular prince - CLEOPATRA was the ancient world's Meghan Markle.
But is that Roman characterisation fair? Or was Cleopatra an intelligent ruler who achieved great things in a man's world.
Read on to find out 🧵
But is that Roman characterisation fair? Or was Cleopatra an intelligent ruler who achieved great things in a man's world.
Read on to find out 🧵
May 5, 2025 at 4:33 PM
A foreign woman accused of using her sexuality to corrupt a once-popular prince - CLEOPATRA was the ancient world's Meghan Markle.
But is that Roman characterisation fair? Or was Cleopatra an intelligent ruler who achieved great things in a man's world.
Read on to find out 🧵
But is that Roman characterisation fair? Or was Cleopatra an intelligent ruler who achieved great things in a man's world.
Read on to find out 🧵
Ever wondered why the 1920s look so cool?
That’s thanks to Art Deco, which burst onto the scene in Paris 100 years ago this week. And it shows that modern can be beautiful.
Read on for an introduction to Art Deco 🧵
(Chrysler Building)
That’s thanks to Art Deco, which burst onto the scene in Paris 100 years ago this week. And it shows that modern can be beautiful.
Read on for an introduction to Art Deco 🧵
(Chrysler Building)
May 1, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Ever wondered why the 1920s look so cool?
That’s thanks to Art Deco, which burst onto the scene in Paris 100 years ago this week. And it shows that modern can be beautiful.
Read on for an introduction to Art Deco 🧵
(Chrysler Building)
That’s thanks to Art Deco, which burst onto the scene in Paris 100 years ago this week. And it shows that modern can be beautiful.
Read on for an introduction to Art Deco 🧵
(Chrysler Building)
Reposted by Ben Henderson History
Roman, probably 3rd-4th century AD
This double-sided comb probably came from a woman’s grave. The inscription has sometimes been explained as Modestina Vale (‘Modestina, farewell’), but in that case the final word would be mis-spelt.
(Source: The British Museum)
This double-sided comb probably came from a woman’s grave. The inscription has sometimes been explained as Modestina Vale (‘Modestina, farewell’), but in that case the final word would be mis-spelt.
(Source: The British Museum)
April 27, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Roman, probably 3rd-4th century AD
This double-sided comb probably came from a woman’s grave. The inscription has sometimes been explained as Modestina Vale (‘Modestina, farewell’), but in that case the final word would be mis-spelt.
(Source: The British Museum)
This double-sided comb probably came from a woman’s grave. The inscription has sometimes been explained as Modestina Vale (‘Modestina, farewell’), but in that case the final word would be mis-spelt.
(Source: The British Museum)
Back in the good old days before social media ruined everything and people appreciated nature! This British man even had a pigeon living on his head.
Archive from BBC News, October 1969.
Repost & follow for more clips from the past.
#history #1960s #BritishHistory #BritishLife #Nature
Archive from BBC News, October 1969.
Repost & follow for more clips from the past.
#history #1960s #BritishHistory #BritishLife #Nature
April 25, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Back in the good old days before social media ruined everything and people appreciated nature! This British man even had a pigeon living on his head.
Archive from BBC News, October 1969.
Repost & follow for more clips from the past.
#history #1960s #BritishHistory #BritishLife #Nature
Archive from BBC News, October 1969.
Repost & follow for more clips from the past.
#history #1960s #BritishHistory #BritishLife #Nature
How much pocket money did kids get in 1973? And more importantly, what did they do with it?
Archive from BBC One, February 1973.
Repost, comment & follow for more clips from the past.
#1970s #BritishHistory #BritishLife #cute #history
Archive from BBC One, February 1973.
Repost, comment & follow for more clips from the past.
#1970s #BritishHistory #BritishLife #cute #history
April 24, 2025 at 4:33 PM
How much pocket money did kids get in 1973? And more importantly, what did they do with it?
Archive from BBC One, February 1973.
Repost, comment & follow for more clips from the past.
#1970s #BritishHistory #BritishLife #cute #history
Archive from BBC One, February 1973.
Repost, comment & follow for more clips from the past.
#1970s #BritishHistory #BritishLife #cute #history
A thread of non-western buildings that will blow your mind! 🧵
Some you will recognise, some you may not - PART 3
Pink Mosque, Iran
Some you will recognise, some you may not - PART 3
Pink Mosque, Iran
April 22, 2025 at 4:33 PM
A thread of non-western buildings that will blow your mind! 🧵
Some you will recognise, some you may not - PART 3
Pink Mosque, Iran
Some you will recognise, some you may not - PART 3
Pink Mosque, Iran
Here are thousands of Iranians protesting against the country's Islamic regime at the tomb of CYRUS THE GREAT.
So who was Cyrus? And why is he so important today? 🧵
So who was Cyrus? And why is he so important today? 🧵
April 21, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Here are thousands of Iranians protesting against the country's Islamic regime at the tomb of CYRUS THE GREAT.
So who was Cyrus? And why is he so important today? 🧵
So who was Cyrus? And why is he so important today? 🧵
Reposted by Ben Henderson History
St. #Augustine of Hippo was one of history’s dirty dogs 🐕 until he discovered #happiness through suffering and became the early church's greatest scholar ✝️
Read on to find out more about the patron saint of brewers 🧵
Read on to find out more about the patron saint of brewers 🧵
February 20, 2025 at 3:00 PM
St. #Augustine of Hippo was one of history’s dirty dogs 🐕 until he discovered #happiness through suffering and became the early church's greatest scholar ✝️
Read on to find out more about the patron saint of brewers 🧵
Read on to find out more about the patron saint of brewers 🧵
This is gorgeous Richard!
'Green Plums.' (1882) Joseph Decker's work received critical attention during his lifetime as one of America's most notable still-life painters. A contemporary critic praised his: 'painting with undoubted affection pulpy fruit within its humble realm.'
April 19, 2025 at 6:55 AM
This is gorgeous Richard!
JULIUS CAESAR was the ultimate populist. He trampled over Rome’s elite, winning the devotion of its people. But in doing so, he destroyed the Roman Republic.
So, was he a genocidal maniac? Or a great leader willing to do anything to fix a crumbling state?
Read on to find out 🧵
So, was he a genocidal maniac? Or a great leader willing to do anything to fix a crumbling state?
Read on to find out 🧵
April 16, 2025 at 4:32 PM
JULIUS CAESAR was the ultimate populist. He trampled over Rome’s elite, winning the devotion of its people. But in doing so, he destroyed the Roman Republic.
So, was he a genocidal maniac? Or a great leader willing to do anything to fix a crumbling state?
Read on to find out 🧵
So, was he a genocidal maniac? Or a great leader willing to do anything to fix a crumbling state?
Read on to find out 🧵
A thread of non-western buildings that will blow your mind! 🧵
Some you will recognise, some you may not - PART 1
Some you will recognise, some you may not - PART 1
April 15, 2025 at 4:32 PM
A thread of non-western buildings that will blow your mind! 🧵
Some you will recognise, some you may not - PART 1
Some you will recognise, some you may not - PART 1
Did Alexander the Great inspire Calvin Klein underpants?
This is how Alexander shaped art and culture for more than 2,000 years. 🧵
This is how Alexander shaped art and culture for more than 2,000 years. 🧵
April 14, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Did Alexander the Great inspire Calvin Klein underpants?
This is how Alexander shaped art and culture for more than 2,000 years. 🧵
This is how Alexander shaped art and culture for more than 2,000 years. 🧵
Reposted by Ben Henderson History
FACT OF THE DAY: US President John Tyler (born in 1790) has a grandson who's still alive 🤯
Harrison Ruffin Tyler is his grandson, who's still alive 235 years after his birth. But how is that possible?
So, President Tyler had one grandson that was wounded in the American Civil War back in 1863...
Harrison Ruffin Tyler is his grandson, who's still alive 235 years after his birth. But how is that possible?
So, President Tyler had one grandson that was wounded in the American Civil War back in 1863...
February 6, 2025 at 1:00 PM
FACT OF THE DAY: US President John Tyler (born in 1790) has a grandson who's still alive 🤯
Harrison Ruffin Tyler is his grandson, who's still alive 235 years after his birth. But how is that possible?
So, President Tyler had one grandson that was wounded in the American Civil War back in 1863...
Harrison Ruffin Tyler is his grandson, who's still alive 235 years after his birth. But how is that possible?
So, President Tyler had one grandson that was wounded in the American Civil War back in 1863...
A little-known Michael J Fox interviewed by Terry Wogan before Back to the Future was released in the UK.
Ohhh the nostalgia!!
Clip taken from Wogan, originally broadcast on BBC One, December, 1985.
#history #film #classicfilms #80sfilms #cinema #80s #movies #nostalgia
Ohhh the nostalgia!!
Clip taken from Wogan, originally broadcast on BBC One, December, 1985.
#history #film #classicfilms #80sfilms #cinema #80s #movies #nostalgia
April 11, 2025 at 4:23 PM
A little-known Michael J Fox interviewed by Terry Wogan before Back to the Future was released in the UK.
Ohhh the nostalgia!!
Clip taken from Wogan, originally broadcast on BBC One, December, 1985.
#history #film #classicfilms #80sfilms #cinema #80s #movies #nostalgia
Ohhh the nostalgia!!
Clip taken from Wogan, originally broadcast on BBC One, December, 1985.
#history #film #classicfilms #80sfilms #cinema #80s #movies #nostalgia
The day telephones began displaying the caller's number in Britain. Amazing to think it could cause such a ruckus!
Clip taken from BBC News, originally broadcast on BBC One, 1994.
#history #UKhistory #BritishHistory #tech #technology
Clip taken from BBC News, originally broadcast on BBC One, 1994.
#history #UKhistory #BritishHistory #tech #technology
April 10, 2025 at 4:31 PM
The day telephones began displaying the caller's number in Britain. Amazing to think it could cause such a ruckus!
Clip taken from BBC News, originally broadcast on BBC One, 1994.
#history #UKhistory #BritishHistory #tech #technology
Clip taken from BBC News, originally broadcast on BBC One, 1994.
#history #UKhistory #BritishHistory #tech #technology
Can a ruler have too much self-belief?
To some, ALEXANDER THE GREAT was the best leader in history. To others, he was a deluded monster.
So who was he? And would Christianity and Islam exist without him?
Read on to find out 🧵
To some, ALEXANDER THE GREAT was the best leader in history. To others, he was a deluded monster.
So who was he? And would Christianity and Islam exist without him?
Read on to find out 🧵
April 8, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Can a ruler have too much self-belief?
To some, ALEXANDER THE GREAT was the best leader in history. To others, he was a deluded monster.
So who was he? And would Christianity and Islam exist without him?
Read on to find out 🧵
To some, ALEXANDER THE GREAT was the best leader in history. To others, he was a deluded monster.
So who was he? And would Christianity and Islam exist without him?
Read on to find out 🧵
Bored of dating apps? Find love at the marriage bureau - your very own local matchmaking service.
Archive from Man Alive, BBC Two, 1966.
#dating #love #romance #datingapps #onlinedating #history #1960s
Archive from Man Alive, BBC Two, 1966.
#dating #love #romance #datingapps #onlinedating #history #1960s
April 7, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Bored of dating apps? Find love at the marriage bureau - your very own local matchmaking service.
Archive from Man Alive, BBC Two, 1966.
#dating #love #romance #datingapps #onlinedating #history #1960s
Archive from Man Alive, BBC Two, 1966.
#dating #love #romance #datingapps #onlinedating #history #1960s
DEMOCRACY DOESN'T WORK.
That's what Plato said, and he's been called the most influential philosopher ever.
So what was his argument? Read on to find out. 🧵
That's what Plato said, and he's been called the most influential philosopher ever.
So what was his argument? Read on to find out. 🧵
April 3, 2025 at 4:30 PM
DEMOCRACY DOESN'T WORK.
That's what Plato said, and he's been called the most influential philosopher ever.
So what was his argument? Read on to find out. 🧵
That's what Plato said, and he's been called the most influential philosopher ever.
So what was his argument? Read on to find out. 🧵
This genius toddler has an unbelievable ability for identifying classical composers.
Clip from That's Life! originally broadcast on BBC One, 1981.
#toddlers #toddlerchallenge #toddlertok #toddlerlife #genius #classicalmusic #history #fyp
Clip from That's Life! originally broadcast on BBC One, 1981.
#toddlers #toddlerchallenge #toddlertok #toddlerlife #genius #classicalmusic #history #fyp
April 2, 2025 at 4:30 PM
This genius toddler has an unbelievable ability for identifying classical composers.
Clip from That's Life! originally broadcast on BBC One, 1981.
#toddlers #toddlerchallenge #toddlertok #toddlerlife #genius #classicalmusic #history #fyp
Clip from That's Life! originally broadcast on BBC One, 1981.
#toddlers #toddlerchallenge #toddlertok #toddlerlife #genius #classicalmusic #history #fyp
Bureaucracy may be a dirty word these days, but Persia's most famous King, DARIUS THE GREAT, made administration an art form.
Read on to find out how he built the largest empire the world had ever seen 🧵
Read on to find out how he built the largest empire the world had ever seen 🧵
April 1, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Bureaucracy may be a dirty word these days, but Persia's most famous King, DARIUS THE GREAT, made administration an art form.
Read on to find out how he built the largest empire the world had ever seen 🧵
Read on to find out how he built the largest empire the world had ever seen 🧵
Reposted by Ben Henderson History
Want to be HAPPY? You need a PURPOSE in life 💪 But how do you find your purpose?
Well, two and a half thousand years ago ARISTOTLE had a similar thought, so he made a plan for human happiness. Read on for the most influential #philosophy of #happiness in history 🧵
Well, two and a half thousand years ago ARISTOTLE had a similar thought, so he made a plan for human happiness. Read on for the most influential #philosophy of #happiness in history 🧵
February 14, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Want to be HAPPY? You need a PURPOSE in life 💪 But how do you find your purpose?
Well, two and a half thousand years ago ARISTOTLE had a similar thought, so he made a plan for human happiness. Read on for the most influential #philosophy of #happiness in history 🧵
Well, two and a half thousand years ago ARISTOTLE had a similar thought, so he made a plan for human happiness. Read on for the most influential #philosophy of #happiness in history 🧵