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History

History
The latest news, analysis and opinion on History. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
German philosopher Juergen Habermas speaks during a press conference in Athens, Greece, in August 2013. Photo: EPA
Obituaries

Habermas, the philosopher who shaped Germany’s post-war conscience, dies at 96

A critic of fascism and nationalism, his ideas remain relevant as post-war pacifism wanes and the far-right gains influence in Germany.

Lessons from China's history

Reflections | What an exiled royal’s plea to Chinese emperor can teach Iran’s Reza Pahlavi

Academy Awards

Who are the 6 youngest Academy Award-winning actors ever? Anna Paquin and more

Climate change

Outside In | The end of an era at sea offers us a grim reminder on land

One of the biggest icebergs in recent memory is melting out of existence. Its silent fate mirrors the neglect of our biosphere.

Nasa’s Aqua satellite shows an iceberg with the designation A23a heading towards the island of South Georgia off the coast of Antarctica on January 15, 2025. Photo: Nasa Worldview/dpa
The Philippines

250 men went down with a WWII ‘hell ship’. Now the US is coming back for them

Eight decades after the Oryoku Maru was sunk by American bombs, specialist divers are returning to retrieve the 250 men still trapped inside.

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Hong Kong society

Impact report for border crossing revamp approved despite concerns over temple

Antiquities Advisory Board approves impact report for redevelopment of Sha Tau Kok border checkpoint, located near historic Hip Tin Temple.

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Artificial intelligence

Opinion | Why state capacity matters in an era of AI-driven inequality

Warnings that AI-driven wealth concentration could trigger economic collapse overlook the state’s role – governments can renegotiate the social contract to preserve stability.

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Shoppers walk past a humanoid robot selling toys in a shopping mall in Beijing on February 28. China’s common prosperity agenda, despite its imperfections, reflects an explicit recognition that unchecked inequality is a systemic risk. Photo: AP
Malaysia

A forgotten theatre lane in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown gets a new lease on life

The restored lane, once home to an early theatre scene, is part of Kuala Lumpur’s broader effort to revive its historic Chinatown.

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From our archives

In pictures: horse play in Hong Kong, from the 1970s to the 2000s

A look at how the city’s public horseback riding schools opened the gates to a sport long associated with private clubs and privilege.

United States

US activists, politicians rally on anniversary of civil rights march

The US Supreme Court is considering a case that could limit the ability of minority voters to elect their chosen candidates, spurring protests.

Politicians and activists participate in a commemorative march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge for the 58th anniversary of ‘Bloody Sunday’, when state troopers beat peaceful voting rights protesters who were marching across the bridge, in Selma, Alabama, on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
Lessons from China's history

Reflections | Modern Singapore knows that vigilance is key. So did an ancient Chinese minister

Wei Jiang of the state of Jin epitomises the Chinese idiom ‘in times of peace, think of danger’ – something Singapore follows closely today.

Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan attends the 57th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Vientiane, Laos, on July 27, 2024. Balakrishnan said in a recent interview that Singapore’s response to ongoing geopolitical tensions would be to engage all major powers constructively, widen networks among middle powers and deepen ties with immediate neighbours, among other measures. Photo: Reuters
Fame and celebrity

Meet Narciso Rodriguez, the designer of Carolyn Bessette’s wedding gown

FX’s Love Story is bringing back the nostalgia of JFK Jr. and Bessette’s romance – but what has her friend Narciso Rodriguez said about her?

Art

Rembrandt painting rejected as not by him in 1960 now confirmed his

After years of scrutiny, ‘Vision of Zacharias in the Temple’ has been confirmed to be a Rembrandt by the Netherlands’ Rijksmuseum.

Germany

Berlin jails man for 13 years over stabbing at Holocaust memorial

The man, 20, said he had been motivated by his radicalisation and belief he was acting with a religious mission.

Police apprehend a suspect at the scene where a person was stabbed near Berlin’s Holocaust memorial in Berlin on February 21, 2025. Photo: AFP
Religion

What are Buddhist relics? The bones and teeth with great power for followers

Buddhist relics are seen as living, active sources of blessings imbued with supernatural qualities, but authenticity can be an issue.

The Shakyamuni Buddha Tooth is displayed at the Wei Mountain Temple in Rosemead, California, on February 17, 2026. Buddhist relics like these are revered by followers of Buddhism, providing connections to the Buddha and other revered monks. Photo: AP
China society

Opinion | Why a TV hit in China about waging peace resonates so deeply

Swords into Ploughshares can tell us a lot about Beijing’s approach to the crisis in Iran, cross-strait relations and this year’s ‘two sessions’.

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Fame and celebrity

Who was Ethel Kennedy – and was she really mean to Carolyn Bessette?

The Kennedy family matriarch and RFK’s widow, who raised 11 children, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama for her public service.

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Tourism

Gripping samurai exhibition explores Japan’s warrior class, cuts through myths

From armour to art, ‘Samurai’ at the British Museum traces the Japanese elite class’ evolution and cultural impact, from anime to Star Wars.

A samurai suit of armour and helmet are seen at “Samurai”, a new exhibition at London’s British Museum running until May 4.
United States

Triceratops skeleton ‘Trey’ to hit the auction block as dinosaur market soars

The 66-million-year-old fossil, for sale on musician Pharrell Williams’ auction platform Joopiter, is expected to fetch up to US$5.5 million.

Science

Sex between Neanderthal men and Homo sapiens women drove our make-up: study

New research is providing insight into the prehistoric pairings that led to the presence of Neanderthal DNA in most present-day people.

Chinese culture

Language Matters | Gen Z loves ‘Chinamaxxing’, but where does ‘maxxing’ come from?

Chinamaxxing, lookmaxxing, moneymaxxing and gymmaxxing might be new terms, but the practice of ‘maxxing’ has been around for a while.

“Chinamaxxing”, in which the norms and traditions associated with Chinese culture are embraced, is trending, but “maxxing” has roots older than you would think. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/RedNote
Chinese culture

How AI is helping bring Hong Kong history to life on Instagram and beyond

Cultural preservationists use generative AI to breathe life into photos from the past, but does this practice promote or distort history?

A photo of Hong Kong during the mid-20th century, colourised by OldHKinColour. The team behind the popular Instagram account uses artificial intelligence to bring such photos to life, but some say this “distorts” history. Photo: OldHKinColour
Lessons from China's history

Reflections | After Andrew’s arrest, how high-born criminals were treated in ancient China

The long-spoken Chinese maxim that nobles were punished like commoners when breaking the law is not upheld by history.

Pokemon

How Pokemon took over the world as the beloved franchise turns 30

On Pokemon Day 2026, we look at the history of the global multimedia phenomenon and how it captured the hearts of children and adults alike.

South Korea

Why Yoon’s life sentence and ‘sympathetic’ ruling divide South Korea

As the ex-president appeals his life sentence for a martial law plot, judicial reform is back on the agenda for a deeply divided nation.

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A supporter of former South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol reacts following a guilty verdict during the sentencing trial in his insurrection case on February 19. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong culture

What’s behind Hong Kong’s retro display craze sweeping shops and stations?

The transformation of a Wellcome supermarket branch into a viral photo hotspot highlights a growing nostalgia trend engulfing the city.

Tourists gather around an old-school display at a Wellcome supermarket in Hong Kong’s Yau Ma Tei neighbourhood. Similar retro-themed displays are popping up all over the city. Photo: Dickson Lee
Style Edit

Style Edit: L’ÉCOLE Asia Pacific’s new engagement ring course

Today, the engagement ring takes pride of place in Hong Kong alongside Chinese ceremonial gifts – L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts’ new course will offer a closer look.

Nepal

Unearthed temple in Nepal sheds new light on Buddha’s early life

Archaeologists hope the newly discovered ruins at Siddhartha Gautam’s childhood palace will help secure Unesco World Heritage status.

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