History Archives

I Am Malala Quotes From Malala Yousafzai (+ Context)

When do we grasp the significance of our voices? What weapons are more powerful than guns and bombs? What did Malala Yousafzai ask God for? In I Am Malala, Nobel Peace Prize winner and girls’ education activist Malala Yousafzai answers these questions by recounting her life story. She covers her origins in poverty, her campaign for girls’ education in Pakistan, and her eventual shooting at the hands of the Taliban. Continue reading for several I Am Malala quotes from Malala Yousafzai along with some context and explanation to help you understand her ideas.

What Is the Winter Solstice & Why Does It Matter So Much?

What is the winter solstice? What makes the winter solstice the shortest, darkest day of the year? Why have humans marked the occasion since prehistory? Each year, the astronomical winter begins with the shortest day of the year: the winter solstice, the day with the fewest hours of sunlight. In the northern hemisphere, the winter solstice occurs every year on December 21 or 22. After that point, the days begin to grow longer. Here’s a look at what the winter solstice actually is and why it’s so historically and culturally significant.

Barbra Streisand and Elliott Gould: A Match Made on Broadway

How did Barbra Streisand and Elliott Gould meet? How does she describe their marriage? What’s his side of the story? Barbra Streisand’s first husband was Elliott Gould. They met in 1962, married in 1963, separated in 1969, and divorced in 1971. She talks about their marriage and their relationship since their divorce in her memoir My Name Is Barbra. Keep reading to learn about Barbra Streisand and Elliott Gould’s relationship.

Barbra Streisand and James Brolin: How They Met & Why It Works

What were Barbra Streisand’s first words to James Brolin when they met? What’s her favorite thing about him? Barbra Streisand and James Brolin are one of those “happily ever after” stories that can be rare among the rich and famous. They met in 1996 (one of them considers it love at first sight), and they’re still going strong after 27 years. Streisand writes about their relationship in her memoir My Name Is Barbra. Continue reading to learn about Barbra Streisand and James Brolin’s love story.

The Anarchy by William Dalrymple: Book Overview

A young woman reading a book outside in a city.

How did a trading company, ostensibly formed for commerce, come to rule most of the Indian subcontinent and its millions of people for over 50 years? What impact did it make? The Anarchy by William Dalrymple charts the rise of the English East India Company (EIC) during the 17th and 18th centuries. Dalrymple explains how it rose from a small outfit of merchants into the imperialist superpower that established British colonial rule in India. Continue reading for an overview of this fascinating book.

Mughal Trade: When England Deferred to a Mighty Empire

Numerous ships docking near a city as part of the Mughal Trade.

How wealthy was the Mughal empire? Why were the English the deferential party in the Mughal trade relationship? In The Anarchy, William Dalrymple charts the rise of the English East India Company. He sets the stage by discussing conditions in India during the 17th century and what made it so attractive to British merchants. Read more to understand how England took notice of the wealth in India and began trading within the powerful Mughal empire.

Barbra Streisand’s Directing: The Risk & Success of Yentl

A woman sitting in a director's chair on a film set.

How does Barbra Streisand compare directing and acting? What’s so noteworthy about her film Yentl? According to Barbra Streisand, directing isn’t easy. But, it provides more of what she looks for in creative pursuits. In her autobiography, Streisand writes about her film directing career, and it’s easy to see how her landmark project Yentl showcases so much of her one-of-a-kind style. Keep reading to learn the highlights of Streisand’s directing career.

When Did U2 Form? A History of the Irish Rock Band

When did U2 form as a band? What has their journey to fame been like? U2 formed in the late 1970s and continued producing music for the following four decades. In his memoir Surrender, Bono discusses the history of the band and how they grew to what they are today. Read on to learn about the early days of U2 and how their band has developed over time.

The Fall of the Mughal Empire: The East India Company’s Role

The fall of the Mughal Empire illustrated in a battle between soldiers.

How did the mighty Mughal empire fall? What role did the East India Company play in its demise? While not the direct cause behind the breakdown of Mughal authority, the East India Company benefited from the resulting power vacuum. William Dalrymple explains that the company’s gradual accumulation of control paved the way for the establishment of British rule across India. Keep reading to learn about the dramatic fall of the Mughal empire.

The Rise of the East India Company: From Traders to Rulers

The rise of East India Company illustrated with soldiers and ships on water.

How did England’s East India Company get so powerful? How did it pave the way for colonial rule in India? In his book The Anarchy, historian William Dalrymple traces the ascent of the English East India Company. Originally a modest group of traders, the company transformed over the 17th and 18th centuries into an imperial powerhouse that imposed British rule across the Indian subcontinent. Continue reading to learn about the fascinating rise of the East India Company.