History Behind the Headlines

Two recent cases in the United States have brought the issue of state executions on to the front pages – the failed execution of murderer Christa Pike and, particularly, the plans to livestream the death of Nidal Hasan, who killed 13 unarmed US military personnel in 2009. But how have attitudes towards the public display of death changed throughout the centuries?

To explore this often upsetting topic, regular panellist Hannah Skoda is joined by Dr Catherine Jenkinson from Pembroke College, University of Oxford.

Plus: as rioting continues in France, what does the medieval era tell us about the way such protests escalate? And can history offer us any antidotes to doomscrolling?

------

If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: podcast@historyextra.com

For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch.

You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Students have been protesting throughout France in recent weeks, with hundreds of thousands of people taking to the streets in cities including Paris and Marseille. It’s far from the first time that students have been involved in such mass demonstrations, and in this episode regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter explore some notable historical parallels.

Plus, as the UK’s politicians gather for their respective annual conferences, we take a look at some key moments that have defined the politics of their era.

------

If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: podcast@historyextra.com

For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch.

You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

US President Donald Trump has hosted Chinese leader Xi Jinping for a summit in Washington this week, with topics including AI and international trade up for discussion. But how have such meetings reflected the way in which the United States has thought about Asia? And in what ways do imperial ambitions play into this story? Regular panellists Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda explore the longer history.

Plus, closer to home: what hidden histories might lurk in a hedgerow near you?

------

If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: podcast@historyextra.com

For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch.

You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The British Museum’s major Bayeux Tapestry exhibition finally opens its doors in London this week, following months of build-up and excitement. But why are blockbuster historical events such as this so important in bringing history to a wider audience? And why is the Tapestry such a big deal in the first place?

In this episode, regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter delve into the production, politics and pertinence of the Bayeux Tapestry, and look back at some other moments in which history has captured the imagination of a nation.

-----

GO BEYOND THE PODCAST

You can explore HistoryExtra’s full coverage of the Bayeux Tapestry and the new exhibition, including podcasts, videos and articles, here: https://bit.ly/3V0x2oQ
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

US president Donald Trump issued his latest tranche of tariffs this week, as talks between the United States and Canada broke down. But what would economists of the past have made of his ongoing trade war? Regular panellists Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda look back at the historical parallels.

Plus, with summer holiday season coming to an end, they explore the innovations that have made international travel easier – and, on occasion, more exasperating throughout the centuries.

------

If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: podcast@historyextra.com

For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch.

You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices