History Extra podcast

In this episode from our archive, Colin Grant tells the stories of postwar immigrants who moved to Britain from the Caribbean

Test your historical knowledge with our annual festive quiz, devised by QI writer Justin Pollard

In this episode from our archive, biographer Ron Chernow discusses the extraordinary life of the American Founding Father who inspired a hit musical

Telling spooky tales at Christmastime is a very old tradition. Francis Young explains the origins of this custom and what it tells us

Did Cromwell ban mince pies? And why does Santa wear red? George Goodwin responds to listener questions and internet search queries on festive history

The Cut Out Girl author Bart van Es gives a lecture on the Jewish children who survived the Holocaust by living in hiding in the Netherlands

Fern Riddell explores some of the darker aspects of the campaign for votes for women, in this episode from our archive

Kathryn Smithies discusses the economic and cultural significance of donkeys in the Middle AgesKathryn Smithies, author of Introducing the Medieval Ass, discusses the economic and cultural significance of donkeys in the Middle Ages.

Trevor Barnes details the 1960s operation to uncover the infamous Portland Spy Ring – one of the most dangerous KGB espionage networks ever to operate in the UK.

Chris Bryant tells the story of a group of young, queer British MPs who were some of the first to resist appeasement and warn Britain’s government about the dangers of Hitler.