February 2013 cover

February 2013

Articles from the February 2013 issue of BBC History Magazine

Concerned that Russia was expanding its influence in the region, Britain invaded Afghanistan in 1839, ousting ruler Dost Mohammad and replacing him with Shah Shuja, who had been king from 1803–10. (Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images)

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Britain's first war in Afghanistan: what happened and why?. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

The murder of Thomas Becket

Medieval

Q&A: What happened to the assassins who killed Thomas Becket?

Russian troops hoist the red banner of the Soviet Army after Stalingrad

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Stalingrad: the crushing of the Reich. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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The LibraryHow King Henry I made and blew a fortune. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

"I read and studied much": Adolf Hitler at his Berghof mountain retreat in c1936.  (Photo by Imagno/Getty Images)

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Hitler's philosophers. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

The call for the First Crusade was initially made by Pope Urban (pictured) in 1095. (Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)

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Britain and Islam: a matter of faith. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

General History

Q&AQ&A: Have twins ever been in line for the throne?

Image by Jonty Clark.

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Ye olde travel guide: Calcutta 1905. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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My history hero: Clara Schumann (1819-96). This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

An illustration depicting the battle of Naseby, arguably one of the most significant land battles in British history. (Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images)

General Modern

20 important battles that shaped Britain

"Although the circus as we know it has its roots in the 18th century, the history of its three basic forms (clowning, equestrianism and animals) goes back much further," says Vanessa Toulmin. (Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty Images)

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Where history happened: the circus in Britain. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

LA Times photo from newspaper report 1942

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A big day in history: Japanese planes attack Los Angeles. Or do they?. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.