Christmas 2021

Articles from the Christmas 2021 issue of BBC History Magazine

20th Century

Q&AWhy did NORAD begin tracking Santa Claus in the Cold War?

Ian Hislop and Alfred the Great

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My history heroIan Hislop chooses Alfred the Great. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

A portrait of Elizabeth Stuart, painted during the reign of Charles I

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Elizabeth Stuart: the treasonous portrait that touted Charles I's sister for the throne. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

The Beatles pictured in 1969

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The Beatles: 8 landmark moments that chart the changing face of sixties Britain. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Lindsay Duncan, who plays aristocratic adventurer Jane Digby in the BBC One adaptation of Around the World in 80 Days

Victorian

Jane Digby: Lindsay Duncan on playing the aristocratic adventurer in Around the World in 80 Days

This print from 1807 shows John Bull sat between the rival singers Elizabeth Billington (left) and Angelica Catalani, who sing lines adapted from The Beggar’s Opera.

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Sex, lies and arias: the prima donnas of Georgian London. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

St Columba. This Irish patron saint's influence on the Christian church was, and still is, felt much further afield

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Medieval miracle worker: how St Columba transformed Christianity in Britain. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Emma Dabiri“He dreamed a career that seemed impossible and made it a reality”. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.