Short passages for reading, drawn from history, legend, poetry and fiction.
By an anonymous photographer, via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
In 1843, a group of working men gathered in Rochdale to discuss how to ease the cost of living for their families, and the Co-op was born.
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© BigBrotherMouse, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0.
A little fable from ancient Greece about those political activists who make a living from stirring up controversy.
By Dip Chand, via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
Economist Adam Smith warned that when Western commercial interests get involved in policy-making abroad, war and want are sure to follow.
By Emilio Longoni (1859-1932), via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
Overwhelmed by a London wedding, William Marston seeks safety in the company of a children’s nurse, but safety is not what he finds.
© John Fielding, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0.
Our peculiar brand of democracy and liberty is a noble thing, but we should be wary of recommending it to other countries.
From the Royal Archives, Windsor Collection, via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
The Indian Mutiny began with a revolt among disgruntled soldiers, and ended with the making of the British Raj.