If you thought that what's happening in today's newspapers has nothing to do with history, you're wrong. Just look at what's happening in the Korean peninsula.
In November 2010, North Korean artillery attacked an island controlled by South Korea, causing massive harm. Today, many newspapers are asking why North Korea attacked the South, as well as whether there will be another Korean War. For example, AOL News and Korean Times.
In order to answer these questions, one must understand Korea's past. After the end of World War Two in 1945, Korea was temporarily split into two halves (North and South). They were supposed to unite in a few years time. However, there were disagreements over how they should unite. In 1950, believing that these differences could not be settled, North Korea invaded the South in what was known as the Korean War.
Fighting stopped in 1953, but both Koreas have not made up and there are still a large number of disagreements.
To find out more about the Korean War, do read Wikipedia.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Hitler loses citizenship
After Hitler came to power in 1933, many towns and cities in Germany made him an "honorary citizen". That means that he was welcome to stay in the town, because of his contributions.
Surprisingly, he is still a honorary citizen of many towns. However, the Guardian reports that some have only just recently decided to remove him from the list.
Just one more of the lingering effects of history.
Surprisingly, he is still a honorary citizen of many towns. However, the Guardian reports that some have only just recently decided to remove him from the list.
Just one more of the lingering effects of history.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Mein Kampf a hit on Dhaka streets
By Alastair Lawson BBC News, Dhaka (Bangladesh)
Booksellers touting their wares amid the heavy traffic in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, have discovered an unusual best-seller.
Adolf Hitler's autobiography manifesto Mein Kampf is selling as well as Dan Brown's latest novel, The Lost Symbol.
The street vendors in Dhaka are found at every major road junction and intersection.
Most of the sellers are young boys and many compete with beggars to attract the attention of motorists.
Last week, Mein Kampf did unusually well because many bought the book to give it away as an Eid present...
Something to think about:
Hitler wrote his autobiography Mein Kampf in 1925 & 1926. The book sold very well. Hitler was able to buy a Mercedes when he was still in prison (according to Wikipedia).
Which of Hitler's ideas made him popular among Germans, and why? Why are Bangladeshis still finding him popular?
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Excavation in downtown Singapore yields wartime artefacts
Straits Times, 18 January 2010
NO ONE would bat an eyelid at demolition works in Singapore, so a torn-up carpark between City Hall and the old Supreme Court has probably drawn few curious gazes.
But it happens to be the site of a rare downtown archaeological dig, which has yielded precious secrets about the island’s past.
Click here for the full story.
NO ONE would bat an eyelid at demolition works in Singapore, so a torn-up carpark between City Hall and the old Supreme Court has probably drawn few curious gazes.
But it happens to be the site of a rare downtown archaeological dig, which has yielded precious secrets about the island’s past.
Click here for the full story.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Singapore History Sites
Check out the following history websites:
- The online portal Access To Archives Online (www.a2o.com.sg) and a World War II resource site (www.s1942.org.sg) house an online collection of archives, records and oral history interviews recounting memories of World War II and the Japanese Occupation in Singapore's history.
- the National Heritage Board's (NHB) blog (yesterday.sg),
- NHB's Education & Outreach division's website (www.mystory.sg),
- Singapore Collections Online (www.sgcool.sg).
- the social media portal, yesterday.sg, reaches out to fellow netizens to discover and share everything on heritage, history and culture, and promotes active contribution through blog posts, forum discussions and photo sharing. With over 2,000 blog posts to date, these address a range of topics, from old Singapore to food and hobbies of the past, and are checked for factual accuracy before being published.
- mystory.sg, gives an interactive and personal site which pieces together a personal side to Singapore history. These nuggets of history are narrated through stories, photos and videos.
- Singapore Collections Online (sgcool.sg), the first online repository of artefacts and artworks in Singapore, allows visitors from all over the world to view highlights from NHB's collections from the comfort of their own home. These collections include photographs, rare books, fabrics, ceramics, modern art forms and many other categories.
- The online portal Access To Archives Online (www.a2o.com.sg) and a World War II resource site (www.s1942.org.sg) house an online collection of archives, records and oral history interviews recounting memories of World War II and the Japanese Occupation in Singapore's history.
- the National Heritage Board's (NHB) blog (yesterday.sg),
- NHB's Education & Outreach division's website (www.mystory.sg),
- Singapore Collections Online (www.sgcool.sg).
- the social media portal, yesterday.sg, reaches out to fellow netizens to discover and share everything on heritage, history and culture, and promotes active contribution through blog posts, forum discussions and photo sharing. With over 2,000 blog posts to date, these address a range of topics, from old Singapore to food and hobbies of the past, and are checked for factual accuracy before being published.
- mystory.sg, gives an interactive and personal site which pieces together a personal side to Singapore history. These nuggets of history are narrated through stories, photos and videos.
- Singapore Collections Online (sgcool.sg), the first online repository of artefacts and artworks in Singapore, allows visitors from all over the world to view highlights from NHB's collections from the comfort of their own home. These collections include photographs, rare books, fabrics, ceramics, modern art forms and many other categories.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)