TOPIC

History

History
The latest news, analysis and opinion on History. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Renee So, the owner and director of Kung Wo Beancurd Factory, at the tofu restaurant and shop in the heart of Hong Kong’s Sham Shui Po neighbourhood. Photo: Kylie Knott
Food and Drinks

Hong Kong’s 132-year-old tofu restaurant where people go silly for soy

At Michelin-recognised Kung Wo Beancurd Factory in Sham Shui Po, soy products from tofu pudding to soy milk are made fresh on site.

Japan

In Japan, museum for Korean nationalist hero reopens old wounds

videocam
United States

‘JFK’ director Oliver Stone calls for reinvestigation of Kennedy assassination

South Korea

Claims of plot to reinstate impeached president Yoon rock South Korea

Opposition figures allege ‘calculated’ moves are being made to reinstall Yoon Suk-yeol, igniting fears of a second martial law attempt.

videocam
A protester wearing a mask of Yoon Suk-yeol performs on a street in Seoul during a demonstration against South Korea’s impeached president on Saturday. Photo: AFP
India

Why Kochi, in India’s southwest, is reviving historical links to China

Many of Kochi’s historical monuments focus on Kerala’s European colonisers, but this city might owe more of its character to the Chinese.

Donald Trump

Director Oliver Stone to testify at JFK assassination files hearing

Hearings are being held in Washington after the Trump administration released a trove of material related to the 1963 Kennedy assassination.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Britain

Restoring art: UK museum to return painting looted by Nazis to Jewish heirs

Henry Gibbs’ Aeneas and his Family Fleeing Burning Troy was stolen from the home of Samuel Hartveld after he fled Antwerp with his wife in May 1940.

Aeneas and his Family Fleeing Burning Troy painting by Henry Gibbs. Photo: Reuters/Tate
Donald Trump

Trump tells Vance to wipe out ‘divisive ideology’ from Smithsonian museums

The US president’s executive order singled out the National Museum of African-American History and Culture as problematic.

videocam
Egypt

6 Russians die as Egyptian tourist submarine sinks

Egypt’s Hurghada is popular with tourists from Russia.

Art

15 art accounts to follow on Instagram, sharing quirky facts, memes and more

Check out the social media version of Art for Dummies, get tips from ‘your next door art girlie’, influencer @thatsprettyneeat, and discover stunning works by Yayoi Kusama or Louise Bourgeois.

Brush up on your art expertise with Insta experts such as @greatwomenartists, here focusing on Self Portrait in the Green Bugatti by Polish-American artist Tamara de Lempicka, who was known as the queen of avant garde. Photo: @greatwomenartists/Instagram
Tourism

Mammoths, bison in prehistoric cave art French keep under wraps

Hundreds of carvings of prehistoric animals, and women, line a cave in southwest France. For 4 weeks a year researchers are let in to map it.

An ancient engraving in Cussac cave, France. Photo: AFP
Art

Then & Now | Hong Kong’s rich history of art clubs dates back to the 1850s

Art clubs and societies have helped shape the city’s vibrant and diverse cultural landscape, since the 19th century.

Malaysia

Bid to relocate Hindu temple for mosque in Malaysia’s capital stirs debate

The government land on which the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman temple sat was sold to Jakel in 2014.

videocam
New Zealand

Ghostly guides invoke tragic tales of New Zealand’s parliament

Visitors who take part in the ‘spooky tours’ hear spine-chilling stories of mysterious deaths and late-night apparitions in Wellington.

A tour guide retells the haunted history of New Zealand’s parliament library in Wellington on Thursday. Photo: AP
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong’s intangible cultural heritage to be celebrated in new annual initiative

Different types of craftsmanship, performances, traditions and rituals among activities to be showcased across the month of June.

Dragon boat racing is expected to be among the activities highlighted when the Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Month initiative makes its debut in June. Photo: Dickson Lee
From our archives

When Hong Kong announced the city’s first open-air theatre

In 1983, the curtain was raised on the Ko Shan Road park and theatre, which took 2 years and HK$50 million to build.

India

Are Indian films tapping Hindu nationalism to achieve box-office success?

The blockbuster Chhaava, which has led to violent protests, has sparked debate on whether Indian directors have forsaken historical accuracy.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Japan

Japan’s PM ‘will not tolerate’ Assassin’s Creed cultural disrespect of shrine

Japan’s PM criticised Assassin’s Creed: Shadows for cultural disrespect, sparking debate on historical accuracy and the game’s portrayal of shrines.

8
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, set in 16th century Japan and focusing on real-life black samurai Yasuke, is the latest entry in the hugely popular historical science fiction video game series. Photo: Ubisoft
Japan

30 years on, Tokyo sarin attack victims seek justice against Aum cult offshoots

The cult behind the attack has yet to compensate its victims, while its offshoots continue to gain followers and amass wealth.

videocam
United States

Trump releases documents related to JFK assassination

Experts doubt the new trove of documents will change the narrative about the infamous killing.

Indonesia

Indonesia is hungry to add rendang, tempeh to Unesco intangible culture list

Gaining recognition would be a strategic step towards encouraging more tourism, Indonesia’s culture minister said.

A woman cooks rendang, an Indonesian meat dish simmered in coconut milk and spices. Photo: AFP
Asia travel

Insiders’ guide to Manila, Philippine capital and cultural melting pot

Locals share their tips on what to see, do and buy, from discovering iconic landmarks and hidden gems, to encountering Filipino craftsmanship.

Manila’s ubiquitous jeepneys, the painting of which can be seen at the Sarao Motors factory in Las Piñas, southern Manila. Photo: Shutterstock
United States

Around 80,000 pages of JFK files will be released on Tuesday, Trump says

The assassination of president John F. Kennedy still fuels conspiracy theories more than 60 years after his death.

Asia travel

Want to be a guest of royalty? India has a variety of heritage-rich options

India’s erstwhile royals are opening their palaces and using their influence to attract tourists and promote the heritage of their historical kingdoms.

Lessons from China's history

Reflections | After Trump decree, how China and Singapore’s official languages came to be

China did not have an official language in the modern sense before the 20th century, while Singapore’s is different to its national language.

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in March making English the official language of the country. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

Opinion | The US-China Thucydides Trap is by no means a foregone conclusion

Instead, it’s a call to action. From helping mediate in Ukraine to investing in the US, China may yet defy historical negative trends.

videocam
11
China and US national flags fly outside a souvenir shop in Beijing on January 31. Photo: AP
Architecture and design

Frank Lloyd Wright’s last house is finished, and you can stay there

6 decades after the American architect delivered plans for ‘Project #5909’ it has finally been built in Ohio. RiverRock is accepting bookings.

Singapore

How Singapore’s opposition hopes to loosen the PAP’s 66-year grip on power

The Workers’ Party aims to build on its gains. Tan Cheng Bock’s PSP is back in the fray, too. Can they chip away at the PAP’s supermajority?

14
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement