A Protestant tradition with pagan roots, the Christmas tree is now a global phenomenon. It also reveals much about market economics, so let's climb on the sleigh and take a ride around this holiday item…
George Eliot (1819-1880), aged 30.
Alexandre-Louis-François d'Albert-Durade/National Portrait Gallery
For most of the Victorian era, people thought it was normal for men and women to be treated differently, and judged by different standards.
The anti-transportation ‘ladies petition’ from 1850 is one of the first concrete examples of political engagement by women in the NSW colony.
Parliament of NSW
In an act of 'mummy-shaming' to rival anything today’s internet has to offer, Queen Victoria is thought to have named a cow in the royal dairy after her daughter, who had decided to breastfeed.
Emperor Tewodros II giving an audience surrounded by lions.
Public Domain, WikiCommons
Although some experts still disagree about the cause of Prince Albert's untimely demise, the most likely culprit seems to be the bacterium Salmonella typhi.
Lord Louis Mountbatten, viceroy of India, met with Indian leaders to discuss partition.
Max Desfors/AP
The partition of India led to more than a million deaths. A scholar argues how British royal, Lord Louis Mountbatten, who hurriedly drew the new borders in secret, was largely responsible.
Highly technical: the Victoria Sponge.
BBC/Love Productions/Tom Graham
This weekend, Britain will celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. Bunting and cream cakes will turn neighbourhood roads into street parties and a flotilla of 1,000 boats will sail down the…