Borisn Yelstin was the Russian leader from the collapse of the Soviet Union through to the leadership of Vladimir Putin. A key pivotal figure of the twentieth century, he had as an important an impact on Russia and global politics as any of the Soviet leaders of the 1970s and 80s and...

This is the story of the Venice Ghetto, the corner of the city where Jews were exiled; free to walk the streets by day, locked behind gates and walls at night. Yet, gates and walls notwithstanding, from its establishment in 1516 until the fall of Venice in 1798, the ghetto...

It is that time of year when we want to say a big thank-you to all our volunteers. Volunteers and volunteering are essential for making the HA work the way it does. From our governance to our output, we rely on the time, expertise and goodwill of individuals from across...

It is 80 years since D-Day, the Allied invasion of Western Europe – an invasion that was about liberation for many, not simply attack. To understand why that day, and just as importantly the days and weeks following it, are so important one needs to know just how terrible the...

Professor Alexandra Walsham, President of the Historical Association (HA), said ‘I am delighted that King Charles III will succeed his late mother Queen Elizabeth II as our royal patron. This appointment could not be more fitting as the king himself studied history at university.’ The study of history – for...

This year we were in Birmingham for two full days of excellent history enrichment, CPD, tours and intellectual exchange. As always it was a full schedule from the moment the HA reception desk was set up on the Thursday evening to when it was pulled down on Saturday afternoon. On...

Catherine Hall is Emerita Professor of Modern British Social and Cultural History at University College London. She has a long-established academic record in feminist history and empire and post-colonial history. She was a professor of history at UCL during a key development period and was the principal director of two key...

Welcome to this packed spring edition of HA News. Take a look at the programme for our Annual Conference in May, including the first keynote by our new President Professor Alexandra Walsham and this year’s Dawson Lecture recipient Dr Penelope Harnett, who is featured in these pages. We are also pleased to announce that this year's Medlicott Medal will be awarded to the...